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My parents, my friends, my family and many other people I know received an excellent PUBLIC education. Many of us moved on to both public and private Universities and finished (or are still finishing) our education in the US. Some of it is the teachers and faculty I'm sure...but I'd be willing to bet that most of it has to do with the lack of interest from both the students AND the parent(s). In many low income communities education is not seen as something good, it's seen as something 'elite' and something that only wealthy people get, and these kids grow up thinking that being smart and learning isn't a good thing.
It's sad, really
Indeed it is sad. However, I believe the problems go well beyond that which you have attributed.
Education authorities in Kentucky are funding a 10-year project to tackle one of the highest adult illiteracy rates in the United States.
By 2010, state authorities want 300,000 adults with reading problems to have enrolled in literacy classes - which would mean reaching about one-third of those with weaknesses in reading and writing.
According to the Kentucky Adult Literacy Survey, there are about one million people between the ages of 16 and 65 who have "low levels of literacy".
This means that about 40% of 2.5 million people in Kentucky of working age have problems with reading and writing.
40% of Kentucky’s working age population (1 million) is at the two lowest literacy levels I and II – not being able to read at all or at very limited to moderate levels.
Quote:
Two-thirds of Kentucky’s counties have 40% or more of their working age population at levels I and II literacy; in 10 counties 50% or more of the working age population is at levels
I and II literacy.
Several counties in Kentucky are amongst the poorest in the United States in terms of per capita income, median household income and percentage of people below the poverty level.
Now let's compare some demographic information. All stats courtesty of the United States Census Bureau:
Quote:
Detroit, Michigan
Per capita income: $14,717
Median household income: $29,526
Percentage High School Graduate age 25+: 69.6%
Percentage College Graduate age 25+: 11.0%
Percentage of County Below Poverty Level: 26.1%
Black persons: 81.6%
Clay County, Kentucky
Per capita income: $9,716
Median household income: $22,365
Percentage High School Graduate age 25+: 49.4%
Percentage College Graduate age 25+: 8.0%
Percentage of County Below Poverty Level: 38.3%
White Non-Hispanic: 92.2%
McCreary County, Kentucky
Per capita income: $9,896
Median household income: $22,253
Percentage High School Graduate age 25+: 52.6%
Percentage College Graduate age 25+: 6.7%
Percentage of County Below Poverty Level: 35.4%
White Non-Hispanic: 94.9%
Wolfe County, Kentucky
Per capita income: $10,321
Median household income: $23,310
Percentage High School Graduate age 25+: 53.6%
Percentage College Graduate age 25+: 10.6%
Percentage of County Below Poverty Level: 36.1%
White Non-Hispanic: 97.7%
Leslie County, Kentucky
Per capita income: $10,429
Median household income: $23,627
Percentage High School Graduate age 25+: 52.5%
Percentage College Graduate age 25+: 6.3%
Percentage of County Below Poverty Level: 30.0%
White Non-Hispanic: 98.3%
Martin County, Kentucky
Per capita income: $10,650
Median household income: $22,841
Percentage High School Graduate age 25+: 54.0%
Percentage College Graduate age 25+: 9.0%
Percentage of County Below Poverty Level: 35.3%
White Non-Hispanic: 93.2%
Knox County, Kentucky
Per capita income: $10,660
Median household income: $25,090
Percentage High School Graduate age 25+: 54.1%
Percentage College Graduate age 25+: 8.8%
Percentage of County Below Poverty Level: 33.4%
White Non-Hispanic: 96.6%
Magoffin County, Kentucky
Per capita income: $10,685
Median household income: $25,890
Percentage High School Graduate age 25+: 50.1%
Percentage College Graduate age 25+: 6.3%
Percentage of County Below Poverty Level: 34.9%
White Non-Hispanic: 98.5%
Jackson County, Kentucky
Per capita income: $10,711
Median household income: $25,084
Percentage High School Graduate age 25+: 52.9%
Percentage College Graduate age 25+: 6.8%
Percentage of County Below Poverty Level: 27.1%
White Non-Hispanic: 98.3%
Owsley County, Kentucky
Per capita income: $10,742
Median household income: $19,829
Percentage High School Graduate age 25+: 49.2%
Percentage College Graduate age 25+: 7.7%
Percentage of County Below Poverty Level: 37.6%
White Non-Hispanic: 98.4%
Say what you will about Detroit but there are obviously several area around the country with poorer less educated people as is clearly indicated by the information detailed about the State of Kentucky.
Several counties in Kentucky are amongst the poorest in the United States in terms of per capita income, median household income and percentage of people below the poverty level.
Now let's compare some demographic information. All stats courtesty of the United States Census Bureau:
Say what you will about Detroit but there are obviously several area around the country with poorer less educated people as is clearly indicated by the information detailed about the State of Kentucky.
Nobody's debating that.
People in those areas are their own worst enemies.
Then how would you explain the EVEN HIGER RATES of poverty and illiteracyand EVEN LOWER per captia and median household incomes in several counties in Kentucky when they tend to vote Republican?
Then how would you explain the EVEN HIGER RATES of poverty and illiteracyand EVEN LOWER per captia and median household incomes in several counties in Kentucky when they tend to vote Republican?
1. Minneapolis (Democratic)
2. Seattle (Democratic)
3. St. Paul (Democratic)
4. Washington D.C. (Democratic)
You get the idea...
However, the underlying issues are not wholly partisan in nature. With the exception of attitudes of the poor and minorities usually by conservatives and liberals being too scared to implement better policies.
What? So to you this is a partisan issue? Wow, that's extremely sad and stupid.
Consider the source.
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