Statistics clearly show that illiteracy is on the increase and that fewer than ten percent of those in need are being reached. in 1985 Proctor and Gamble spent more on advertising than the U.S. Government spent on adult basic education. The truth is by cutting funding for literacy programs we are threatening the future of our nation. The cost of illiteracy to business and the taxpayer is estimated at 20 billion dollars per year. President Clinton has made literacy a priority with his America Reads initiative. He says such efforts will help us to reach a critical goal, that every American child will be able to read on his or her own by the third grade, but there are large numbers of people who cannot even read to their own children.
Public awareness is key.
Parents must realize the importance of education and of literacy. They must know they are their child's first teacher. Illiteracy is a very quite problem which needs attention. Illiteracy plagues rural areas, not only urban ones. Literacy programs are needed not just in cities but all across the country.