Literacy Facts Quiz

1. Youth who spend more time with media report lower grades and lower levels of personal contentmentt.

True

False

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation (2010)

Nearly half (47%) of all heavy media users say they usually get fair or poor grades (mostly C’s or lower), compared to
23% of light media users. Heavy media users are also more likely to say they get into trouble a lot, are often sad or unhappy, and are often bored.

Explanation

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation (2010)

Nearly half (47%) of all heavy media users say they usually get fair or poor grades (mostly C’s or lower), compared to
23% of light media users. Heavy media users are also more likely to say they get into trouble a lot, are often sad or unhappy, and are often bored.

2. In 1999, what percent of children aged 3-5 were read to daily by a family member?

53%

66%

84%

Source: The National Center for Education Statistics, Family Reading

Only approximately 1/2 of American children are read to daily. Do you think this percent has changed much since 1999?

Explanation

Source: The National Center for Education Statistics, Family Reading

Only approximately 1/2 of American children are read to daily. Do you think this percent has changed much since 1999?

3. Total time spent engaged in sustained silent reading has increased over the past 2 decades.

True

False

Source: Block & Mangieri (2002)

Total time allowed for sustained silent reading has actually decreased over the past 2 decades.

Explanation

Source: Block & Mangieri (2002)

Total time allowed for sustained silent reading has actually decreased over the past 2 decades.

4. In 2009, the average U.S. combined reading literacy score for 15-year-old students was not measurably different from the average score of the 34 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)-member countries.

True

False

Source: The condition of language 2011

Explanation

Source: The condition of language 2011

5. In 2009, what % of children ages 5–17 (or 11.2 million) spoke a language other than English at home?

11%

18%

21%

Source: The condition of language 2011

That's about 1 out of every 5 children in the US!

Seventy-three percent of those who spoke English with difficulty spoke Spanish

Explanation

Source: The condition of language 2011

That's about 1 out of every 5 children in the US!

Seventy-three percent of those who spoke English with difficulty spoke Spanish

6. In 2000, what % of books found in Indiana school libraries were over 25 years of age?

15%

30%

50%

Source: 2000 Impact Evaluation of School Library Printed Materials Grant

I couldn't find an updated statistic. . . do you think this has changed over the past 11 years?

Explanation

Source: 2000 Impact Evaluation of School Library Printed Materials Grant

I couldn't find an updated statistic. . . do you think this has changed over the past 11 years?

7. What is the average total time students ages (8-18) spend viewing TV content per day?

2:34

4:29

5:13

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation (2010)
This includes watching TV on mobile devices, iPads, iPods, and computers.

FYI: In 1999, this was 3:47. Video games increased from :26 to 1:13 per day.

Explanation

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation (2010)
This includes watching TV on mobile devices, iPads, iPods, and computers.

FYI: In 1999, this was 3:47. Video games increased from :26 to 1:13 per day.

8. What % of adults in the US read below a 5th grade level, far below the level needed to earn a living wage?

10%

20%

30%

Source: National Institute for Literacy, Fast Facts on Literacy, 2001

AND . .
Nearly half of America's adults are poor readers, or "functionally illiterate." They can't carry out simply tasks like balancing check books, reading drug labels or writing essays for a job.

Explanation

Source: National Institute for Literacy, Fast Facts on Literacy, 2001

AND . .
Nearly half of America's adults are poor readers, or "functionally illiterate." They can't carry out simply tasks like balancing check books, reading drug labels or writing essays for a job.

9. When asked the question, "Name 3 or more activities used to promote recreational reading in students," what percent of teacher could only list one single activity?

5%

17%

42%

Source: Block & Mangieri (2002)

AND, 33% of teacher could site only one activity (example include silent reading, partner reading, book share, read aloud, etc)

Explanation

Source: Block & Mangieri (2002)

AND, 33% of teacher could site only one activity (example include silent reading, partner reading, book share, read aloud, etc)

10. What percent of elementary teachers surved in 2002 could not name 3 published books in the past 5 years?

25%

43%

64%

Source: Block & Mangieri (2002)

64% could not name 3 published books and 11% of elementary teachers could not name a single title!

Explanation

Source: Block & Mangieri (2002)

64% could not name 3 published books and 11% of elementary teachers could not name a single title!

11. What % of the nation's unemployed youth age 16-21 are functional illiterate, with virtually no prospects of obtaining good jobs.

30%

40%

50%

Source: US Department of Education

AND 85% of all juvenile offenders have a reading problem.

Explanation

Source: US Department of Education

AND 85% of all juvenile offenders have a reading problem.

12. Of the 10 largest high school gymnasiums, how many can be located in Indiana?

4

7

9

Source: USA Today (2004)

The largest is the Fieldhouse in New Castle, IN (which can hold half the town's population!)

Explanation

Source: USA Today (2004)

The largest is the Fieldhouse in New Castle, IN (which can hold half the town's population!)