Not in the least surprised with regard to literacy in the USA. Have met Americans all over the world..........childlike/shopoholics.
I had to half coach my daughter whilst she was in school in the LA School District. No Geography/World History and endless book reports, which she discovered meant reading the blurb on the back of the book.
In California in the 90's under Gov. Wilson (what was it then? Contract With America?) it was decided smart people want to make too much money or something like that and the "dumbing down" of the United States was put in action. Grade schools were underfunded, even the better schools, poorly maintained and police with child-terrorizing dogs were sent in to sniff out drugs and gangs, gangs, gangs, all over the news. Kids in groups of three were frisked and intimidated, gang murders random and impulsive were nightly news. Lotteries were introduced to "save the schools" but they only let the schools survive on less tax money. Universities became usurers. Police became over-armed, right bashing, self disciplining wanna be soldiers.
The rather shocking literacy rates will continue to increase as the newer generations and their parents have no idea what a book is...further it must be noted that a brain shaped by linear type, that is, those who read, as opposed to a brain shaped by flashing images, screens, work differently..that the brain shaped by flashing images cannot comprehend anything requiring deep thought...with an exception here and there....
Not in the least surprised with regard to literacy in the USA. Have met Americans all over the world..........childlike/shopoholics.
I had to half coach my daughter whilst she was in school in the LA School District. No Geography/World History and endless book reports, which she discovered meant reading the blurb on the back of the book.
In California in the 90's under Gov. Wilson (what was it then? Contract With America?) it was decided smart people want to make too much money or something like that and the "dumbing down" of the United States was put in action. Grade schools were underfunded, even the better schools, poorly maintained and police with child-terrorizing dogs were sent in to sniff out drugs and gangs, gangs, gangs, all over the news. Kids in groups of three were frisked and intimidated, gang murders random and impulsive were nightly news. Lotteries were introduced to "save the schools" but they only let the schools survive on less tax money. Universities became usurers. Police became over-armed, right bashing, self disciplining wanna be soldiers.
The rather shocking literacy rates will continue to increase as the newer generations and their parents have no idea what a book is...further it must be noted that a brain shaped by linear type, that is, those who read, as opposed to a brain shaped by flashing images, screens, work differently..that the brain shaped by flashing images cannot comprehend anything requiring deep thought...with an exception here and there....