The Literacy Corner

Joseph McDonald

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Summer at the Newberry County Literacy Council is a time to reflect and plan. Although we continue to tutor and hold our weekly book club meetings, other programs are in hiatus until fall.

As we think ahead about our mission to promote adult literacy, we look at data reports. One just-released report is from the Annie E. Casey Foundation which publishes a yearly summary called Kids Count about the condition of children in the United States, the individual states and counties within the states.

The report also ranks states and counties as to how children are doing in terms of poverty, education, health care, family stability, and other characteristics.

Those interested in community building, social infrastructure, and improving opportunities — and I assume all of us have this interest — need reports such as this one. To plan for the future, we need to know where we are now.

So what does this report tell us? Overall, South Carolina ranks 40th out of the 50 states in 16 indicators of the condition of children (lower numbers are better numbers).

Newberry County fares better in its ranking within the state. We rank 16th out of 46 counties. The point here, however, is not really about how we are doing compared to others, or to complain or to brag about this ranking or that. The point is to look at the data and ask what it means and how we should react.

Below are some data for Newberry County and the City of Newberry (I have included some statistics from other sources such as the U.S. Census and the South Carolina Statistical Abstract). Most of the statistics are from 2013, a few are averaged over the period 2009-2013.

I have selected statistics that are relevant for agencies such as the Newberry County Literacy Council that work with issues connected to literacy.

• The population of Newberry County is 37,521 while the City of Newberry has 10,256 people.

• 61 percent of the county is white; 31 percent African American; 7 percent Hispanic.

• 16.8 percent of households in the county are headed by a single female.

• 39.4 percent of children in the county live in single parent families.

• In 22.6 percent of county families with children, the head of household does not have a high school diploma.

• 17.2 percent of the population of the county live below the poverty line. In the City, 30.5 percent live below the poverty line.

• 24.6 percent of children in the county live below the poverty line while in the City, 45.1 percent live below the poverty line.

• 8.7 percent of whites in the county live in poverty; 30.9 percent of African-Americans live in poverty; 36.5 percent of Hispanics live in poverty.

• 10.4 percent of whites in the City live in poverty; 43.4 percent of African-Americans live in poverty; 53.1 percent of Hispanics live in poverty.

• 43.1 percent of families with a female head, no husband present, live in poverty.

• 23.1 percent of people 25 years old and older in the county do not have a high school diploma.

What do these statistics suggest about the issue of literacy in our county and city?

First, let’s look at the poverty statistics. Decades of research tell us that educational attainment of children is closely related to the economic condition of their families so poverty is one predictor of literacy problems.

All children can learn and all parents can provide encouragement to children but parents who do not have a high school degree do not have the same resources to support their children in their educational pursuits.

Second, poverty is linked to single-parent families so single-parent families are also a predictor of literacy attainment. Single parents, male or female, without a high school degree, often struggle to provide help for their children in doing homework, writing papers, and providing academic guidance.

Third, there are significant racial and ethnic differences in poverty which means that African-American and Hispanic children and adults are more likely to face challenges in developing literacy skills.

Fourth, poverty is greater among residents of the city than for the county as a whole. This means that we need to look closely at where resources that can help parents with their children’s education are located and how they are distributed.

Data remains data until we analyze and explain. But if we can use the data to develop a better understanding of issues facing us then we can move toward effective planning. I hope all agencies and programs will look at the data from Kids Count and other sources as they move ahead.

The Newberry County Literacy Council has compiled a much more detailed demographic profile of Newberry than presented here that we will be glad to share. Contact us.

Until next month, happy reading.

Joseph McDonald is a retired sociology professor from Newberry College and has worked with the Newberry County Literacy Council for more than 20 years as a tutor and board member. The Literacy Council is located at 1121 Caldwell St. Visit newberryread.com, call 803-276-8086 or send an email to newberrycountyli@bellsouth.net for more information.