The United States has one of the top literacy rates in the world at 99%. However, that still leaves 1% of the population who are unable to read and write. That is simply unacceptable in today's world.
In the past, when rural areas were harder to reach, this was easier to explain. Now however, we have roadways linking everything, we have cell phone towers covering a vast majority of the country. Let us use the telecommunications networks in place to expand education, even if in small ways. Sweden, Norway and other European countries have hit a 100% literacy rate. Is this because their populations are naturally smarter than ours? No!
The answer lies in the public's access and interest in education. A way must be found to engage younger generations in education, make them want it!