In the New York Times, Motoko Rich examines the erosion of literacy in America.

Critics of reading on the Internet say they see no evidence that increased Web activity improves reading achievement. “What we are losing in this country and presumably around the world is the sustained, focused, linear attention developed by reading,” said Mr. Gioia of the N.E.A. “I would believe people who tell me that the Internet develops reading if I did not see such a universal decline in reading ability and reading comprehension on virtually all tests.”

Tags: dana gioia, Education, literacy, motoko rich, nea, new york times, Reading, usa