Literacy In The News ::
Spanning the US
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Chatham Star Tribune: 4.07.2021
The Pittsylvania County Public Library is
happy to announce the addition of a new collection of Quick
Read books to its shelves.
These short,
adult focused, books are designed to address
a variety of reader needs such as larger print, less complex sentences, English
Language Learner accessibility and support for any adults working to improve
their reading and literacy skills.
Quick Reads are also ideal for busy adults
who may have gotten out of the habit of reading and are looking for something
entertaining but easy to pick up. The books include popular authors such as
James Patterson and offer a variety of fiction styles.
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| Pittsylvania County Literacy Program |
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An estimated 15 percent of adults in Pittsylvania County are classified as illiterate, and an even larger percentage are low-literate or reading below a seventh grade level. Low literacy makes it difficult for adults to find and keep jobs, to interact with public services and to support their children or grandchildren’s education. READ MORE ➤➤
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Mississippi Today: 4.09.2021 by Candace McKenzie
When 64-year-old Carl Plessala first moved to
Mississippi seven years ago, he wanted to start a new life.
He stumbled upon a pamphlet that advertised
classes at a community college. The idea intrigued him, but there was one
problem: He was among the thousands of Mississippi adults who couldn’t read or
write.
Plessala grew up in Louisiana, and he didn’t
take school seriously. He called himself “a class clown,” which he said was a
way to mask his low confidence in reading and writing skills. He entered the
workforce and never learned to read or write.
“I thought I didn’t need much education
because school was boring and riding tractors was fun until I got older,” he
said. “Then, I realized riding tractors was a whole lotta work.”
So after he moved to Mississippi, he
enrolled in a program at Hope Adult Learning in
Harrison County and was matched with a tutor there. After three years in the
program, Plessala’s initial 3rd or 4th grade reading level rose to a 10th grade
level.
Today, Plessala says that learning how to
read made him “feel like somebody,” and he plans to share his story with churches
and other organizations.
There are many similar stories in
Mississippi, where 16% of the adult population lacked proficient reading and
writing skills in 2003, according to the National Center for Education for Statistics.
That year is the last time conclusive data on the state’s literacy rate was
collected, though more recent studies and interviews with experts across the
state indicate not much has changed. WATCH
07:58
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The Daily News: 4.09.2021 by Kelsey Stiglitz
When Dennis Aschbrenner retired from the Navy
in 1989 as a chief hospital corpsman, he knew his civilian career would need to
relate to his experience in the medical field. In the search for ways to make
himself more marketable to employers, he found the associate’s degree in
nursing program at Coastal Carolina Community College. For him, it was the
perfect fit.
He was one of the few male students in the
program - one of three - but he obtained his associate’s as a Registered Nurse
and found work locally at Onslow Memorial Hospital. After a 22 year civilian
career at OMH, Aschbrenner found a new use for his nursing skills - healing
with the power of words rather than medicine.
“As a nurse, nurses are always instructing
people, and it made it so I could go over and help with the Onslow Literacy Council,”
Aschbrenner said. “Even if someone doesn’t have extensive experience, you have
to be able to talk about what you’re teaching people and that’s important.” READ MORE ➤➤
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