Jackson6612  +  510533 Tue, 06 May 08 09:09 PM In the United States, 20 percent of the adult population is marginally literate. Of these roughly 30 million people, approximately 1.8 million are enrolled in basic skills literacy programs. Webster's New World has created a dictionary that is uniquely designed to help these beginning readers. What are these basic skills literacy programs? Jackson6612 Joined on Wed, Dec 27 2006 Senior Member 3,688 It’s a difficult question for any man to answer… Whether to follow his dreams no matter what… Or to give in slowly and let life lead you where it will.

	Grammar Geek  +  510537 Tue, 06 May 08 09:16 PM Programs to help them with the basic skills to attain literacy. Help with reading and writing fundamentals.   Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,652 Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random!

	Jackson6612  +  510574 Tue, 06 May 08 11:16 PM Hi Barbara, Is this really true that 20 percent of adult Americans are marginally literate? In a country like the US! Jackson6612

	Grammar Geek  +  510600 Wed, 07 May 08 01:52 AM I was commenting on your specific question. I'm not famliar with this statistic otherwise. A few google hits show the rate as anywhere between 80% and 99% literacy, depending on how it's defined. Grammar Geek

	Clive  +  510631 Wed, 07 May 08 04:38 AM Hi, You might consider the term 'functional illiteracy', meaning a level of illiteracy that causes employment problems. Have a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Functional_illiteracy Best wishes, Clive Clive Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004 Canada Veteran Member 29,581 El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

	Jackson6612  +  510929 Wed, 07 May 08 07:32 PM Thanks for the link, Clive. Jackson6612