Illiteracy problem targeted

Lee Scrivner

Saturday, Sept. 2, 2000 | 9:23 a.m.

Gov. Kenny Guinn and leaders from Nevada businesses and nonprofit organizations will address the problem of illiteracy in Southern Nevada Friday during the 2000 International Literacy Day Dinner at the Imperial Palace.

The event, sponsored by the Las Vegas chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators, will also recognize the achievements of tutors, teachers, volunteers and business owners who have contributed to local adult-literacy programs.

"Illiteracy has reached a crisis level in Southern Nevada because its service-intensive jobs don't require the ability to read," Sharon Rorman, spokeswoman for the Southern Nevada Literacy Association, said. "Students are enticed out of schools by the money they could potentially make."

Adult illiteracy is defined as the inability to read, write or compute math beyond a sixth grade level.

According to the National Institute for Literacy estimates, last year 17 percent to 20 percent of Clark County residents, or more than 170,000 people, were unable to read instructions, write reports, communicate adequately or calculate simple one-step math problems.

Interestingly, figures released in June by the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count 2000 also estimate the most recent teen dropout rate for Nevada at 17 percent, the highest in the nation.

Adult illiteracy is connected with family illiteracy, Rorman said. If people are not literate by a certain age, there is a danger that a parent will pass their illiteracy on to their children, he said. "It is important that volunteers step up because this problem is self-perpetuating."

Wally "Famous" Amos of Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookies and a 20-year national literacy spokesman will be the keynote speaker at Friday's dinner.

"I am like a professional cheerleader," Amos said. "I create awareness to encourage people to donate their time to be a tutor.

"People need to understand that illiteracy is not a symptom of unintelligence. Many compensate by hiding their illiteracy behind a huge memory. So the sooner we get more volunteers out there, the sooner this problem will be resolved."

The dinner is $60 per person or $600 for a table of 10.

Cocktails and a silent auction begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Madeira Room, followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m.

Proceeds will benefit the Southern Nevada Literacy Coalition.