Literacy Demands for Employment: How Jobs Have Changed and What Teachers Can Do

The literacy demands required to thrive in society have changed significantly over the last several decades. Although most teachers should not see their roles as directly preparing students for occupations, teachers can teach students to use literacy to solve realistic problems in ways that better prepare students for what they will face in the workplace. This chapter provides information on the changing nature of social and workplace demands, with special emphasis on the new, higher level skills required in the workplace. It includes specific suggestions for how teachers can help prepare students for these higher level literacy demands.