Although efforts to combat illiteracy in the Arab world began several decades ago, the illiteracy rate in Arab countries is one of the highest in the world, as there are more than 70 million illiterate people in Arab countries. By contrast, many countries in the world have succeeded in eradicating adult illiteracy within a few decades. The study…

The author contends that literacy always succeeds rather than precedes technological advancement, and to claim that literacy must precede development is to hide behind a veil of inaction. Thus, he argues that as long as the Third World remains economically victimized by the First, programs to combat illiteracy will remain peripheral. (Author/CT)

Defines literacy needs of immigrants in Canada, using personal stories to illustrate the destructive effect literacy problems have on people perceived to lack literacy skills. Questions are raised about implications for Canadian society as a whole and about the effectiveness of its English-as-a-Second-Language programs. (LB)

Three issues related to improving basic skills in this nation are discussed in this paper: the definition of "basic literacy skills" and the number of Americans who are purportedly illiterate, what evidence exists that minorities in the United States really have a more serious problem than others in acquiring basic literacy skills, and…

This series of Junior College Resource Reviews focuses on the community college's role in literacy development. After Roger Yarrington's overview of the topic, Robert McCabe and Susan Skidmore consider "The Literacy Crisis and American Education." In light of the changing nature of work and the severe decline in the communication skills of youth,…