Attention Getter: One of the major problems in America today is the decline of literacy and education. A recent study found that only 50% of high school students in major cities graduate. A 2007 study by the National Endowment for the Arts proved that Americans read less and not as well as previous generations. Americans teenagers are ranked behind countries such as Poland, Korea, France and Canada in reading. Many educators believe illiteracy is to blame for negative teen endeavors. Literate, educated people are more like to partake in positive activities because they are more confident.
Psychological Orientation: Education is taken for granted in America. Americans are worried about all the wrong things and that is why our country is suffering. Speaking correctly is laughed at. Memorizing historical events and multiplication tables is outdated because we have Google and calculators. We would rather read pre-digested textbooks than original sources. We spend more time on our phones and watching reality shows than visiting libraries. We are not concerned with spelling because we have auto-correct. It has become difficult to put in the hard work of literature because we spend our time writing in 140 characters. We believe school should be entertaining, if learning is not fun it is not effective. That education is the job of the professionals and not the parents. Statistics don’t lie. Our modern education system is not working. We are failing to demand the best in students we let them get by instead of making them do what they are capable of. Resulting in our failure to compete in the global economy. We are far less literate and educated than our competitors.
Logical Orientation: There are many reasons for the decline of literacy and education in America but I believe technology, parents, and unqualified teachers hold the biggest responsibility.
Body
I. What impact does technology have on literacy and education? A. New media- radio, cinema, television, computer are making writing obsolete. B. Lack of reading causes our brains not to decipher the meaning of words.
II. What impact do parents have on literacy and education? A. Today’s parent does not work with their child. B. They use technology as a baby sitter instead of using it to educate their children.
III. What impact does people with learning disabilities not being taught properly have on literacy and education? A. The teachers do not care are not qualified. B. Their parents feel it is professionals job to help their child learn and not theirs.
Logical Closure: I believe that the way for Americans to increase literacy is to stop taking education for granted. Technology is not all bad. Parents should use technology to educate their children instead of using it as a baby sitter. Teachers should truly care and Truancy laws should be enforced.
Psychological Closure: Instead of being brainwashed with fashion, reality tv, and cell phones we need to be brainwashed with math, reading, and science.
Clincher: It was Clive Lewis that said “We all want progress but if you are on the wrong word, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road.” It is not to late to stop the decrease in literacy. Promote education not entertainment.
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