Illiteracy negatively impacts people not only in our professional lives, but in our personal lives and social relationships as well. Illiteracy impacts an individual’s ability to learn in the classroom and engage with other members of society in a meaningful way, often from a very young age. High levels of illiteracy in adults and children can even be dangerous. Illiteracy is undoubtedly a justice issue because it directly impacts one's quality of life. Illiteracy showcases the deprivation of children and adults of an essential social skill, making it indistinguishably a social justice issue as well. Although illiteracy begins in adolescence, if the issue is not addressed, it will ultimately carry on into adulthood, increasing an individual’s likelihood of living in poverty as well as their likelihood of being unable to lift themselves out of poverty. It is our duty as members of an unjust society to seek justice for those in need, advocating for, researching, and discussing the issues they encounter every day.

The creation of a linked course at John Carroll University that tackles illiteracy from a factual and historical standpoint, while also teaching future educators on how to assist those who struggle with reading and writing is one way to help solve this problem. It is best to tackle the issue of illiteracy at an adolescent level. A course like this would create an opportunity in which we can offer a gateway for our generation's future teachers to walk into their own classrooms armed with the knowledge of how to assist children with these issues from a young age. It would be available to all students, and be most beneficial to those who plan on teaching English at a pre-college level. 

Show your interest in creating such a course by signing this petition!