World literacy : how countries rank and why it matters Cover Image

Book

World literacy : how countries rank and why it matters / John W. Miller and Michael C. McKenna.

Miller, John W. (John Winston), 1947- (Author). McKenna, Michael C. (Added Author).

Summary:

This book reports on research that takes a new approach to examining literacy. In addition to considering PIRLS and PISA scores, it also looks at literate behaviours and supporting resources, organizing them into five categories: libraries, newspapers, education inputs and outputs, and computer availability. Population is used to establish per capita ratios. It then ranks 61 countries according to these indicators.

Record details

ISBN: 9781138909557 (hardback)
ISBN: 9781138909564 (pbk.)
Physical Description: viii, 220 pages ; 24 cm
Publisher: New York : Routledge, 2016.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Formatted Contents Note:

Keys to the kingdom: the long struggle for literacy -- What is literacy? the challenge of framing the problem -- The rise and decline of measured reading ability: national winners and losers -- The crisis of elementary schooling: literacy's training ground -- The crisis of secondary and post-secondary schooling: literacy's practice field and proving ground -- Supporting literate cultures: the past, present, and future of libraries, bookstores, and newspapers -- Skill versus will: important lessons for policy -- Are books obsolete? examining trends in media use -- Overcoming the SES/literacy relationships: making exceptions the rule -- The future of the knowledge-based economy and change in the world order.