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More (not so) fun facts:
54% of American adults read below a 6th grade level.
21% read below a 5th grade level, which is considered functionally illiterate.
High immigration numbers don't fully explain it either, as first gen immigrants only make up about 1/3 of those with low literacy.
When they say "If you can read a New York Times article" do they literally mean just READ the words and understand them individually, or do they mean read and possess the ability to apply critical thinking skills to what you just read?
It's your ability to spot potential author bias, leading language, context outside the article that might point to inaccuracies or omissions, tones like sarcasm, etc.
They can read the words at the most basic level, but are missing a lot of the actual meaning.
I think they must also mean comprehension.
I read a little about how they determine "levels" of reading ability, and while vocabulary is part of it, higher level reading also considers sentence complexity, the ability to identify concepts, make inferences, pick up on the theme or tone, consider the author's biases, etc.
Ahh, thank's for looking that up! It makes me me feel... slightly better? Although it doesn't make me feel great that there are so many people out there with just enough reading skills to be dangerous (applying their own biases, etc).
Exactly. Or just enough to read an opinion piece, but not enough to consider conceptual flaws in the argument or the author's intent/biases.
The other end is concerning too. I sometimes get the sense that even well-intentioned "elites" in politics/journalism/media come up with solutions for stuff that would work in their bubble, but are a complete disaster when applied to the general public because the nuance is lost.
"That's right, it goes in the square hole!"
I see you've written words that I can read, but I have no clue what you're trying to say... so idk, can't answer your question (I think it's a question at least, there's definitely a question mark at the end)
Vocabulary vs reading comprehension.
(If your comment is a joke, ignore me and chalk it up to Poe's Law)