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Literacy in West Virginia. Jared Clark Karen Young Steve Hyde Garrett Carter. Group Objective. To volunteer with LVEP and participate in activities therein. First Order of Business.
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Literacy in West Virginia Jared Clark Karen Young Steve Hyde Garrett Carter
Group Objective • To volunteer with LVEP and participate in activities therein
First Order of Business... • On January 13, the group was acquainted with LVEP, its purpose, and its local leader, Kelly, during an orientation at the Martinsburg Library. • On Jan. 21, Garrett and Karen went to the Martinsburg Library to further greet higher members of the LVEP
The Challenge West Virginia Statistics - County Level Generally, those adults who score at Level 1 have difficulty performing such everyday tasks as locating an intersection on a street map, reading and comprehending a short newspaper article, or calculating total costs on an order form. County Percentage of Adult Population at Level 1 Literacy Berkeley-16%Morgan-18%Jefferson-15%Barbour-23% Brooke-17%Cabell-19% Boone-26% Calhoun-24% Braxton-24% Clay-29% Doddridge-21% Mineral-16% Fayette-27% Mingo-29% Gilmer-23% Monongalia-14% Grant-19% Monroe-22% Greenbrier-22%Hampshire-19% Nicholas-23% Hancock-19% Ohio-17% Hardy-19% Pendleton-19% Harrison-19% Pleasants-19% Jackson-18% Pocahontas-21%Preston-19% Kanawha-20% Putnam-14% Lewis-21% Raleigh-26% Lincoln-27% Randolph-20% Logan-27% Ritchie-21% Marion-19% Roane-23% Marshall-18% Summers-30% Mason-22% Taylor-20% McDowell-37% Tucker-20% Mercer-23% Tyler-19% Upshur-19% Wetzel-18% Wayne-21% Wood-15% Webster 29% Wyoming 27% (http://wvabe.org/literacyestimates.htm)
Brain Games! • The group’s main priority was to help with the Brain Games, a major fundraiser for LVEP • The group did not hesitate to help publicize the event with Karen’s display and Garrett’s article in the newspaper
Newspaper Articles Spirit of Jefferson-
Brain Games The Picket Newspaper Articles
Brain Games! • Steve even made a rack card in Spanish for the English Second Language (ESL) section
Mock TrialsJanuary 26 • Steve and Jared helped to develop each round of Brain Games by taking a longer version and narrowing it down. • Each round consisted of 25 questions for 20 minutes. • Without their participation, the mock rounds would have only 1 other participant, which wouldn't have helped much in narrowing the questions
Brain Games • The Brain Games is the major annual fundraiser for LVEP • Our help was needed mostly for 2 days and 3 objectives: Setup, Execution, and Take-down
Argument Papers • And now we will introduce our argument papers
Arguments – Karen Young • Literacy, or being educated with the ability to read and write, is a key issue in the state of W.V. due to the below average statistics currently indicative of the area. • The rates, which are lower than the national average, can be improved through social awareness & personal interaction.
Arguments - Karen • The poor and disadvantaged individuals have fewer choices in education, jobs, housing, and other things which are necessary to lead a whole fulfilling life. • Cyclic pattern is difficult to dismantle. • Circumstantial factors prevent these adults from proceeding with on site job training and continuing education. • Young mothers have obstacles and struggle to meet daily needs and expectations of their children.
Arguments - Karen Counteract the Imbalance • People in need should have access to comprehensible materials that provide resources and opportunities. • Social interaction should be encouraged through group study discussions that foster active verbal participation. • Empower all those involved to advance critical thinking skills. Use ideas and feedback. • Financial support in the form of grants or donations could enhance programs and diversify target areas.
The literacy rate and the economy in West Virginia:The problems of a low literacy rate U.S. CENSUS STATISTICS • West Virginia ranks 33rd in average literacy • West Virginia ranks 50th in median household income • West Virginia ranks 50th in percentage of college-educated residents The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has found that about two-thirds of unemployed people function at low literacy levels.
The literacy rate and the economy in West Virginia:The benefits of a high literacy rate One way to improve West Virginia’s economy is to boost the average literacy rate. The OECD has found that a higher literacy rate translates into economic benefits: • Literacy is a key factor to “personal development through improved participation in society in relation to labor market outcomes and earnings.” – OECD, 2000 • Literacy generally indicates a person’s level and type of participation in the workforce. • Most skilled occupations contain a majority of workers at high literacy levels. • Most unskilled occupations contain a majority of workers at low literacy levels.
The literacy rate and the economy in West Virginia:The methods of improving the literacy rate • 1) Early education training -- Literacy experts in West Virginia stress the importance of literacy training in grade school as well as talking and reading with children at home. State school reform must start with literacy training. • 2) Adult literacy tutors -- Already 61 counties in West Virginia contain literacy tutor groups. Donating only a little time or money helps these groups in fantastic ways. “Education is the key to escaping poverty.” Gaston Caperton, President of the College Board and former governor of West Virginia
Arguments - Jared Clark • Books and other forms of written media should be primarily accessed through electronic means, rather than paper and paper products.
Arguments - Jared Pros • Electronic media generates virtually no waste. • It is more convenient in the sense that limitless books can be stored on the internet or on a computer.
Arguments - Jared Cons • Computers and other electronics require a power source. • Loss of data is a possibility if the source crashes and the documents are not backed up.
Arguments - Jared Conclusion • Paper should not be completely eliminated, but should coexist as a subordinate with computers and electronic media supports.
What is financial illiteracy? Financial illiteracy is the inability to effectively manage ones finances, and make good decisions to maintain one’s financial well being and success
Financial illiteracy • The ignorance of the terms on a mortgage, and the inability to pay it, will result in foreclosure As you can see, over time, foreclosures become more common. This is a result of the financial illiteracy of younger people.
Divorce • As a result of the financial stress caused by an inability to handle money, marriages also suffer. Notice how the rates raise over time as financial illiteracy becomes more widespread here as well.
Want to help? • Do you or does someone you know care to volunteer? Areas of Responsibility: • Satisfactorily completing LVEP’s 15 hour tutor training • Preparing lessons tailored to individual needs. • Interpreting a Student Assessment form when assigned a student. • Submitting Progress reports as requested. • Notifying the Director if problems arise or when the tutoring sessions terminate. • Encouraging the student to attend Adult Basic Education classes if the student is able to cope with a classroom situation.
Want to Help? (cont.) Length of Commitment: • Minimum of 50 hours of tutoring Training provided: • Tutor Training workshop (15 hours) • Periodic Tutor Roundtables to discuss relevant issues. • Additional two-hour workshops as requested. Qualifications: • High School diploma • Willingness to make a commitment to the above responsibilities.
