[MediconStop]

Well no, of course not. There are other variables such as the type of business, location and such. Maybe my experience is unrepresentative of the true number due to such variables.

[EarnestKS]

Lies, damned lies, and statistics?

[Nikitka]

"including in federal parliament by no less a figure than Dick Adams"

It does not surprise me to hear that. I knew Dick before he became an MP. He was unable to read for many years including when he started working for his union. Eventually he sought help although he had managed for more than 30 years without being able to read. He learnt to read through an adult literacy program and devoured books as soon as he was able to do so. He has worked with adult reading programs ever since. A statistic such as that in the press release would have been jumped on by Dick to support his interest in literacy for everyone, even though the statistic is somewhat dubious. He is a bit blinkered on the subject but I think we can forgive him.

[Gooracouppy]

Again, my intention is not to denigrate particular uses of these stats. Dick Adams interest in promoting adult literacy is entirely laudable. There is certainly work that needs to be done. And these stats are so arresting that of course they would be harnessed towards that end. It's just that I think the stats are more than a little dodgy.

[JosephNF]

I hate to think how many hours a day I have wasted reading. At least an hour just in the news. Must be hard to get through the cracks these days not being able to read as opposed to doing it for fun).

[indentKew]

It's an interesting read, for sure.

I can't help observing that we take literacy for granted as a kind of blanket term.

I was one of the lucky ones for whom it came easily; of the five in my family two struggled a bit and would struggle even more today, but the ways they found into work that didn't require lots of reading when they began stood them in good stead once established as good workers.

They'd not stand a chance today.

also those who were even poorer at reading (ie the "failures" in this kind of study) were the ones who left school very early and got what were still regarded as good jobs in teh community that did not require them to be able to read.

IF they did their jobs well they were highly regarded.
Today they'd be forced to stay in school.

They and their teachers* pay a huge price for these changes and I salute them for even trying now.




* (and the schools that work so hard to try to be relevant for them ... not all do, and many won't entertain the idea of keeping them)

[Imihooniump]

Must be close to be impossible to be an illiterate truck driver these days but I suppose that they don't need well-rounded literacy skills.

[Sttim]

Nearly half the population struggles without the literacy skills
------------------------------------------

Its is hardly suprising that half the population considers the other half dumb.