This collection of essays addresses issues related to basic literacy and mathematical competence in the United States. Articles include the following: "The Roots of Literacy" (David Hawkins); "Historical Perspectives on Literacy and Schooling" (Daniel P. Resnick); "Reconciling the Literacies of Generations" (William Damon); "Damaged Literacy: Illiteracies and American Democracy" (Leon Botstein); "The Difficulties of School: Probable Causes, Probable Cures" (Howard Gardner); "Literacy and Intrinsic Motivation" (Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi); "Minority Status and Literacy in Comparative Perspective" (John U. Ogbu); "Literacy in School and Out" (Lauren B. Resnick); "Improving the Education of Reading Teachers" (Richard C. Anderson, Bonnie B. Armbruster, Mary Roe); "Numeracy" (Lynn Arthur Steen); "Literacy and Numeracy: Two Ways of Knowing" (Benson R. Snyder); and "Doing Badly and Feeling Confused" (Stephen R. Graubard). (MSE) (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse on Literacy Education)