Collection Development

        Should a parent or educator wish to investigate resources to encourage cultural literacy, there are many which a librarian can recommend.  Because the term “cultural literacy” covers such a wide variety of terms, having a general source for reference is a valuable first step.
          A comprehensive print resource which explains the rationale for incorporating cultural literacy into the elementary school curriculum is Cultural Literacy by E.D. Hirsch, Jr.  Although its first edition was published in 1988, it has become the classic, core work in the field of cultural literacy.  Not fully appreciated when it first appeared, the book has gained in significance now that Common Core has integrated some of his advice.  For example, progressively more difficult vocabulary is stressed in Common Core curriculums.
           Hirsch’s book engendered some heated discussion.  Some people though he emphasized Western thought and civilization to the detriment of other cultures.  Hirsch (1988) disagreed, stating that “the benefit [of cultural literacy] we derive is to come to the tolerant understanding that no single national vocabulary is inherently superior or privileged about all others” (107).  Hirsch was also criticized for including a list in an appendix of his book which was “intended to illustrate the character and range of the knowledge literate Americans tend to share” (146).  This first list ever could be altered if there were unintended omissions or inclusions since it was only “to establish guide posts that can be of practical use . . .” (146).      

Below are 10 sample terms from the list:

vitamin	Volga River
vivisection	Volstead Act
V-J Day	volt
voilà	voltage
volcano	Voltaire

          The criticism centered on the list’s being assigned for memorization.  Hirsch did not intend that application.  He researched and tested the items with colleagues from several disciplines and selected terms at the high school graduate literacy level (137).  He determined to provide the list as a basis for encouraging parents and educators that emphasizing them would increase a student’s background of literacy which, in turn, would increase his comprehension.

          A serial resource, defined as a magazine or journal, of value is entitled “The Journal of Literacy Research.”  Since there is no available magazine or journal devoted specifically to cultural literacy, this resource can be searched for articles on the subject.  It contains 375 search results for “cultural literacy” in full text.  It is ranked #91 out 219 in Education and Educational Research (About).

          Access to this journal may be problematical.  A teacher or researcher will be able to use an academic database, but a parent should inquire at a public or academic library if the journal is available.  Journals are written to give academic assessments and research or case studies, material which may be useful in creating and implementing cultural literacy programming or courses. 

Finally, an electronic resource which is eminently practical and enjoyable is the commercial site The Literacy Company.  It provides products to aid in reading speed and comprehension, but there is access on its website to “Cultural Literacy Tests.”  A person can take 29 different quizzes to assess his level of cultural literacy.  The tests were based on Test Your Cultural Literacy by Diane and Kathy Zahler.  Providing assessments such as these on a commercial website would seem to emphasize the importance of cultural literacy competence to reading comprehension.