Return-Path: <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id g3A2u7u14105; Tue, 9 Apr 2002 22:56:07 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 22:56:07 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <9.262f35f1.29e502d0@aol.com> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: Dwyoho@aol.com To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:3657] Re: NIFL_Health-3648 Readability vs. Understandability X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: AOL 7.0 for Windows US sub 256 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="part1_9.262f35f1.29e502d0_boundary" Status: O Content-Length: 4417 Lines: 56 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit One factor that may enter into the fact that some research reports indicate little change in understanding when lowering the "readability level" (i.e. grade level) of a document may have to do with the fact that there is a world of difference between level 6, for instance, and grade level 8, while there is relatively little difference in the skills needed for level 8 compared to level 10 or higher. In other words, the actual "gap" or skill deficit becomes greater and greater between levels when comparing one to another as the material's reading level is lowered. There is a bigger gap between grade 2 and 4, for example, than between 4 and 6, but the gap between 4 and 6 is greater than 6 and 8, and so forth. Reading teachers know this and therefore stress the importance of the first 4 years of school in terms of reading development. Deficits accrued that early are rarely overcome. The easiest kids to remediate are those enrolled in the 5th grade or higher who are no more than two grade levels behind. I hypothesize that in some health literacy studies, those who can understand grade 8 level material are also likely to understand a great deal of grade 10 or higher material (other factors remaining equal), resulting in little change in results. Also, it is still a surprise to many that the average American reads most items at about the eighth grade level (junior high). If we lowered all health information to grade 8 we would be reaching only the middle and above, and still missing roughly half the population. And besides, I am sure most on this list would agree that lowering the reading level alone does not go far to address the health literacy problem. It is just the easiest strategy to adopt. Deborah W.Yoho Executive Director Greater Columbia Literacy Council Co-Moderator, NIFL Health Literacy Discussion Group 921 Woodrow Street Columbia, SC 29205 803-765-2555 Fax 799-8417 dwyoho@aol.com
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