Being able to read "exemplary works" is a really strange and narrow definition of literate.

I also have to disagree that "twitter speak and memes" is not intelligent communication -- just because something is new, doesn't mean it's less intelligent.

Engaging with exemplary works mostly improves your ability to appreciate exemplary works. Children don't start out with that ability, so unsurprisingly they are not keen on reading them. There's an argument that we should force them to read them anyway, but that's for promotion of culture, not functional literacy.

If we want them to read safety notices correctly then we're better off teaching J. K. Rowling than Shakespeare.

> Engaging with exemplary works mostly improves your ability to appreciate exemplary works.

No, it helps you gain a richer understanding of the universe and your human place in it.

When I was in school, they taught astronomy in physics class.

Another benefit of artistic/literary courses is that you learn about concepts like "metaphors" and "figures of speech."