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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Recurso educativo Open Access |
| Language: | en |
| Published: |
2003
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED480753 |
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Table of Contents:
- America's Most Literate Cities. Miller, Jack Bookstores Educational Attainment Libraries Literacy Newspapers Periodicals Tables (Data) Urban Areas This study assessed factors related to literacy and literate behavior, rating the most and least literate U.S. cities. Data came from the U.S. Census Bureau, Audit Bureau of Circulations, American Booksellers Association, Yellow Pages, American Library Directory, and National Directory of Magazines. Thirteen measures were combined to form five indicators of literacy: booksellers; library support, holdings, and utilization; educational level; periodicals published; and newspaper circulation. Results found no strong regional influence. The top 10 included four western cities (Seattle, Denver, San Francisco, and Portland); two eastern (Washington and Pittsburgh); one southern (Atlanta); and two midwestern (Cincinnati and Minneapolis). The bottom 10 had a distinct "sun-belt" appearance (three in Texas, four in California, and one each in Florida and Tennessee). None of the eight cities with populations over 1,000,000 were in the top 50 percent. This population disadvantage diminished for cities under 1,000,000. Boston and New York, often considered more stereotypically literate, ranked 13th and 48th, respectively. They were very strong on a few factors causing them to be viewed as centers of culture and literacy but had large numbers of people apparently not buying newspapers and books, checking out library books, or graduating from high school. Other cities not stereotypically considered bastions of literacy did very well on at least a few factors. (SM)