Reading Their Problem Loud and Clear

Learning: Emerging from the shadows of shame, former illiterates take the lead in educating the public about a hidden crisis.

November 10, 1996|LESLIE EARNEST and HOPE HAMASHIGE | SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

* Being unable to read grade-level material independently

* Having no enthusiasm for showing parents what he or she can read

Source: Orange County Department of Education

Back to School

Adult education enrollment in California peaked in the late 1980s for instruction in English as a second language and in the early 1990s for basic skills. A look at the trend since 1981-82, the first school year for which enrollment numbers were tracked:

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Elementary English as a basic skills second language 1981-82 56,595 388,699 1982-83 51,100 357,725 1983-84 50,249 374,932 1984-85 57,365 420,966 1985-86 49,988 408,105 1986-87 55,940 432,441 1987-88 67,741 456,187 1988-89 65,306 586,744 1989-90 87,993 589,959 1990-91 73,529 541,245 1991-92 88,777 516,227 1992-93 50,742 464,306 1993-94* 58,104 459,148

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* Most recent data available

Source: California Department of Education; Researched by HOPE HAMASHIGE / For The Times

Back to Basics in College

More than 63,000 students are enrolled this year in basic skills courses, including reading and writing and English as a second language, at eight Orange County community colleges. The breakdown by district:

Coast Community College District

Coastline College: 3,804

Golden West College: 7,642

Orange Coast College: 4,669

North Orange County Community College District

Cypress College: 5,487

Fullerton College: 8,319

Saddleback Community College District

Irvine Valley College: 4,686

Saddleback College: 4,712

Rancho Santiago Community College District

Rancho Santiago College: 24,235