MISSOURI WATCH: THAT FELLOW TOM HAS HAD A LOT TO SAY, BUT NOBODY IS LISTENING

Thomas Jefferson, who in the opinion of what may constitute the smallest cult in the U.S. was the greatest American who ever lived, remains virtually unknown to most of us. The irony of this is that our country's third president perhaps has more to say to each of us than anyone who has ever occupied the Oval Office.

Yet, we hear him not.

Our state's observance of Jefferson's birthday is a non-event, virtually ignored, in contrast to the anniversaries of a good many other citizens whose contributions are far less than those of the sage of Monticello. Until a few years ago, Missourians observed his birthday, but the holiday was replaced by that of Harry Truman.

For the sake of our own perspective, however, let's talk a little about our third president. First of all, Jefferson saw education as the key ingredient in creating -- and sustaining -- our democracy. Two centuries ago he wrote that "Whenever the people are will informed they can be trusted with their own government."

For more than a century after Jefferson wrote those words, our nation was considered "well informed." A collection of colonies had become an experiment in democracy, the country expanded westward, and Americans proved to themselves and the world that the experiment in democracy had taken hold and was a permanent part of the United States.

A well informed citizenry meant literate people. Being literate must always be defined within its context. For our country's new citizens and pioneers, literacy usually just meant the ability to sign your name.

Today, as we stand on the threshold of a new century, being well informed entails more than signing your name. And while the continued benefits of the participation of all Americans in the process of self-government may not be at stake, our ability as a country to compete with the other democracies -- from Japan to the newly emerging democracies in Eastern Europe -- is very much at stake.

For a moment, consider these snapshots of our country and our state:

*20 percent of adult Americans can't fill out a written job application.

*Between 28 and 35 million Americans are functionally illiterate.

*One out of 10 adults in Missouri is functionally illiterate.

*One out of four young Missourians who begin the ninth grade never graduate.

*Over 85 percent of the prisoners in Missouri's correctional system are high school dropouts.

*Companies have become educators because many employees lack the basic skills to do their job.

*One out of five adults can't follow road signs or read the directions on a medicine bottle.

*There are fewer first time workers entering the work force: there will be about 7,000 fewer graduates in Missouri in 1999 than in 1998.

*Missouri is average or even doing better than the national average in all these troubling categories. But that's certainly not good enough, nor will it sustain us in the future.

Because literacy is defined by the demands of society and the marketplace, today's world demands higher levels of literacy. That word has moved from simply signing our names to now include these essential components:

-- Basic skills: reading, writing, counting;

-- Life skills: understanding signs, labels, instructions and directions;

-- Job skills: cultural thinking, decision-making, adapting to change.

The truth is that most of these components of learning are not a part of our traditional education curriculum. We may have exposure to the basic skills of reading, writing and even computing, but where can we find guidance in life skills and cultural thinking and responsible decision making?

They have to come from somewhere, but in addition to our colleges and universities and the wide range of learning opportunities we have today, instruction and guidance must also come from within our own homes. These components can also be found within other areas, including our churches and other religious and moral institutions.

Only months before we begin a new millennium, most of us are concerned with just about everything but what Jefferson called self education and self improvement. We have a huge capacity for interest about everything from our own economic well-being to yesterday's ball scores; from the possible closing of a hometown factory to our children's future education; from e-mail to no-mail; from drought to earthquakes; from the marital turmoil of political figures to the latest neighborhood gossip; from mediocre entertainment to the poll rankings of unknown candidates who want to run our governments.

Our experiment with democracy continues, whether George W. used cocaine or Hillary runs for senator. In the long run, much of it is meaningless in our democratic experiment, for each of us is the central component in the success or failure of our democracy and each of us will be vital contributors to its outcome in ways we cannot immediately perceive.

From the Louisiana Purchase to the layout of the University of Missouri, Thomas Jefferson played a significant role in the development of our state. That's why we honor him with a statue in front of our state Capitol. Perhaps it is now time to consider Jefferson's challenge to each of us to be well informed -- to be literate -- as we approach a new century.

~Jack Stapleton of Kennett is the editor of Missouri News and Editorial Service.