The Center for Literacy & Learning

09/01/2026

Plain Talk is international again! 🌎⚜️

Literacy and learning connect us across classrooms, communities, and borders — and we’re excited to already have attendees joining us from 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇮🇪 Ireland, and the 🇬🇧 United Kingdom!

And we’re just getting started! 👀 Where will you be joining us from?

📅 February 24–26, 2027 | New Orleans
Register: mycll.org/plain-talk

08/31/2026

A lot is happening at The Center this fall! 👀

New resources, new opportunities, and more ways to learn, connect, and grow are on the way.

We can’t wait to share what we’ve been working on. Stay tuned! 🍂

08/31/2026

Don’t miss your chance to attend Plain Talk 2027!

Applications for the Alice P. Thomas Scholarship are open, but the September 15 deadline is getting closer!

If you’re an educator committed to strengthening literacy instruction, supporting struggling readers and students with learning differences, and bringing new strategies back to your educational setting, we encourage you to apply.

🎓 Complimentary registration to Plain Talk 2027
✈️ Up to $500 in travel reimbursement
📅 Applications close September 15, 2026
📍 Plain Talk 2027 | February 24–26 | New Orleans

Your Plain Talk experience could start with one application.

Learn more and apply at mycll.org/plain-talk.

Join Plain Talk About Literacy & Learning® 2027 in New Orleans, February 24–26, 2027. The nation’s premier literacy conference brings together educators, literacy leaders, and experts for evidence-based learning, practical classroom strategies, and impactful professional development.

08/28/2026

Sponsor Spotlight | Gold Plus Sponsor

We're proud to recognize Benchmark Education as a Gold Plus Sponsor of Plain Talk About Literacy and Learning® 2027!

Benchmark Education Company provides evidence-based literacy solutions designed to build knowledge, strengthen foundational skills, and support educators in helping all students grow as readers.

Thank you for supporting Plain Talk 2027. We look forward to seeing your team in New Orleans this February!
Learn more: www.benchmarkeducation.com

08/28/2026

FACT FRIDAY 💡 Back-to-school success is a team effort!

Research shows that family engagement can contribute to stronger student achievement, better parent-teacher and teacher-student relationships, and a more positive school environment.

The Center for Literacy & Learning and the Louisiana Statewide Family Engagement Center (LASFEC) are helping families turn engagement into action.

📚 The LASFEC Back-to-School Hub is filled with free tools, tips, checklists, and resources to help families support learning and build strong connections with their child’s school — with resources available in multiple languages.

Explore the Back-to-School Hub: lasfec.org/back-to-school-hub-2

08/27/2026

Today, we honor the remarkable life and legacy of Dolly Parton — a beloved storyteller, philanthropist, and lifelong champion for children and literacy. 💛📚

Her passion for reading went far beyond words. Through the Imagination Library, Dolly dedicated decades to putting books into the hands of children and opening doors to imagination, learning, and opportunity.

Her life was a beautiful example of what it means to turn passion into purpose and use a lifetime of success in service to others.

For all of us who believe every child deserves the opportunity to become a strong, confident reader, Dolly’s legacy will continue to inspire our work.

Her stories will live on. Her generosity will live on. And her belief in the power of reading will live on in generations of children.

Thank you, Dolly, for a lifetime of service — and for always believing in the dreams of children. 💛

08/27/2026

Educators from across the country are making their plans for Plain Talk About Literacy and Learning® 2027! 📍⚜️

The map is filling up- is your state represented? 👀

Join educators from across the U.S. in New Orleans for three days of powerful learning, practical strategies, and meaningful connections.

Don’t see your state yet? Be the one to put it on the map!

📅 February 24–26, 2027
📍 New Orleans, Louisiana

Make your Plain Talk plans today → mycll.org/plain-talk

08/25/2026

Celebrating literacy success in St. Bernard Parish!

With 74.1% of K–3 students finishing the 2025–2026 school year reading on or above grade level, there’s a lot to celebrate!

Strong literacy outcomes are built through committed educators, effective instruction, and a shared focus on helping every student grow.

The Center for Literacy & Learning is proud to partner with St. Bernard Parish Public Schools and be part of their continued commitment to literacy and student success.

Source: 2025–2026 Louisiana Department of Education K–3 Literacy Screener

08/24/2026

Great things are happening for young readers in Rapides Parish!

73.6% of K–3 students finished the 2025–2026 school year reading on or above grade level!

This progress represents the work happening every day in classrooms to strengthen instruction and give students the literacy skills they need to succeed.

We’re proud to work alongside Rapides Parish School Board Parish educators as they continue creating stronger literacy outcomes for students across the parish.

Source: 2025–2026 Louisiana Department of Education K–3 Literacy Screener

08/21/2026

Fact Friday | Back-to-School Edition

Learning doesn't stop when the school day ends! Everyday moments at home can reinforce the skills students are learning in the classroom.

One simple way to build math skills is during a trip to the grocery store. Encourage your child to estimate the total cost of items in the cart, compare their estimate to the final total, or practice adding prices together. These real-world experiences strengthen number sense, estimation, and mathematical thinking.

Looking for more ways to support learning at home throughout the school year? Explore free literacy resources, family activities, and helpful tips through the Louisiana Reads! app and at lareads.org.

Source: University of Miami