A. Literacy is NOT one dimensional
B. Literacy links strongly with ideology as reflected in the various
standards used to judge literacy
C. Literacy has related differently to gender, ethnic groups, geographic
regions
D. Each of today's perspectives on literacy relate to Jeffersonian ideas
E. Most important literacy for maintaining a strong democracy is critical
literacy
F. Today, universal critical literacy is blocked by the prevailing culture--- supported by public schools and the media
Conventional
Then: Movement towards primary/elementary education for the masses
Now: Educational opportunity (i.e., attending school) afforded to all
Functional
Then: Demand/standards were that all were expected to use their literacy
as a mark of being a good patriot
Now: Basic skill level expectation; gender, race still negatively affected
Cultural
Then: Assumptions were made about universal common background of facts
Now: The variation in cultures affects the notion of whether there even
is a common base of facts
Critical
Then: Awareness of the dangers of abuses of power
Now: Not a sharp awareness of (or even agreement about) the social institutions
determining peoples' viewpoints.
(SUMMARY: pp. 262-263)
A. Definition: p. 265 (2nd column) and p. 266 (1st column, 2nd paragraph)
B. Media Culpability-p.268:
Jefferson vs. newspapers staying within acceptable bounds
C. Marketplace of ideas extended to all (e.g., computer availability)
D.Schooling as a culprit
1. Socialization (p.271-72)
2. Curriculum selection/omission (p. 272-73)
*** Primary Source essay at the end of Chapter 9