ABSTRACT
Despite popular perception that reading is acquired as naturally as spoken language, there is overwhelming evidence that growing numbers of Americans fail to become functionally literate. In addition to the urtfortunate trend of increasing illiteracy, links between illiteracy and other societal difficulties are clear. For example, the Orton Dyslexia Society (cited in Adams, 1990) reported that adults without basic literacy skills accounted for 75% of the unemployed, one third of mothers receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children, and 60% of prison inmates. Meanwhile, illiterate youth represent 85% of juveniles appearing in court. Together, these correlates suggest that the cost of illiteracy is tragic and long lasting both in human and economic terms.
