Nearly Half Of Detroit Residents Are Illiterate
Almost Half of Detroit Residents Are Functionally Illiterate
A shocking study by the Detroit Regional Workforce Fund, may explain a root problem to the struggles within the Motor City.
According to reports, 47 percent of Detroit residents were found to be functionally illiterate.
This means, nearly half of Detroit residents can’t do simple things like read a book, fill out a job application or enjoy the daily content on Hiphopwired.com.
The GOOD news report reads:
According to the study, of the “200,000 adults who are functionally illiterate, approximately half have a high school diploma or GED”—which means that the other half do not. Sadly, only 10 percent of residents who need adult literacy classes even receive services to teach them how to read, and only one fourth of adult education programs “provide services for learners at the lowest literacy levels.”
Addressing the literacy problem is particularly critical because of the city’s steep unemployment rate. In recent years it’s been as as high as 50 percent, and 33 percent of adults aged 20-24 are unemployed. Even if a jobs recovery does happen, if the city’s residents don’t have the basic skills—like being able to read—their career options won’t improve much.
Detroit’s economic was one of the hardest hit by the U.S. recession, and with a report like this, it’s understandable.
Although, this doesn’t explain why the Detroit Pistons and Lions suck in professional sports, but it does explain why the city was named of the of most dangerous cities in the world in 2010.
At least Detroit has Eminem to be proud of.
If anyone out there knows someone from Detroit, you might want to read this news report to them, it’s a 50% chance they can’t read this for themselves.
#PrayForDetroit.
