Re:Once again the Ivory Tower speaks... (Score 1)

Quothe Grey:

Demostatably false the literacy rate in the US is much less that what it was in the 1860 or 1830, before teachers got training in teaching.

I'm not sure where you received your statistical data, but I'm more than 90% positive that your assertions are incorrect (if you have data otherwise, please enlighten me). You state that the literacy rate has decreased. In fact, the percentage of people who are capable of reading has increased. Perhaps, the depth of the larger portion of the average literate citizen has decreased, but that's only because it's more than simply the elite who can read. Effectively, what you're saying is that the quality of literacy has been watered down. IMO, this is a very elitist statement indeed, and that it overlooks the fact that, despite all the problems the education 'system' has at the moment, it has suceeded in producing an increased number of academic elites (with the sort of literacy you state has decreased in the last 100 years) in addition to people who have competency in reading.

The problem lies in that expectations have risen faster than the system can rise to accomodate.

g.e.