this post was submitted on 06 Oct 2023
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A Boring Dystopia

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[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 year ago (5 children)

This is such a huge percentage that it has to be incorrect, right? Over half of American adults can't really read? Or am I just vastly underestimating a '6th grade level'.

[–] Chunk 13 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I had to look this up because I was thinking the same thing.

Sixth grade reading entails understanding plot structures, narrative voices, character developments, and the use of language. Students also compare and contrast themes in articles and stories. In the process, your child’s vocabulary should grow by leaps and bounds.

From https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/sixth-grade-reading

I can't find any definition for 8, 9, or 10th grade reading.

I found this, where the definition comes from, it the definition is based on a score on a test and doesn't always seem to have a set of criteria we can look at. https://www.justrightreads.com/reading-levels-explained

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I can’t find any definition for 8, 9, or 10th grade reading.

Check common core standards. For example, grades 9-10 should be able to

Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.

and also

Analyze how an author draws on and transforms source material in a specific work (e.g., how Shakespeare treats a theme or topic from Ovid or the Bible or how a later author draws on a play by Shakespeare).

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (9 children)

6th grade is what? 10 years old.

I wouldn't expect them to be reading War and Peace, but they should be able to easily read The Hobbit or Harry Potter.

They're not on Spot the Dog, or putting their fingers under the words as they go.

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[–] fuckwit_mcbumcrumble 15 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

You joke, but I went back to college for a bit a few years back. We'd read an article in class. I'd have read the thing in a minute or two. The rest of the class would take 10 minutes or more.

And these were educated people in a college class. I really think phone use has ruined a lot an entire generation's ability to read and grasp the essence of a text quickly.

[–] TwoGems 14 points 1 year ago (11 children)

Is that 54% the Trump supporters?

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[–] clanginator 13 points 1 year ago (5 children)

I absolutely believe this.

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[–] douglasg14b 11 points 1 year ago (5 children)

We are required to write our customer facing self-help articles at no greater than an 8th grade reading level. Or people literally can't read to the end.

Largely removing and semblance of usefulness to them IMHO.

So this tracks.

[–] Dozzi92 8 points 1 year ago

This is nothing new though. I remember being in middle school and teachers saying that the most sophisticated newspapers at the time were written at an eighth grade level. Basically, it's the level where you're not alienating potential customers, I guess. And I suppose there's some benefit to dumbing down things like news. Maybe. I dunno.

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago

Me fail English? That's unpossible!

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

My dad is at probably about 6th grade level.

My father is extremely quick, a sharp mind. He is able to articulate, but not very eloquently, can't spell really, and or he is self conscious of it and defers to others when writing.

To his credit, he doesn't really need any of that to live a fulfilling life, but, I wonder what would have changed if his education was better or if he got to grow up in a less broken home. How would that change my life? I'm sure I would be doing something much different than I am now. I'm not sure it even matters.

I'm thankful that my father is a kind soul who doesn't really seem meant for this world. He taught me many important lessons in life and I wish there were more genuine people like him. Everyone seems to gravitate towards him even tho he is by all accounts an "idiot". He's an anarchist in purest form. I'll miss him when he's gone, but I carry his spark within me. <3

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