National Coalition for Literacy

04/03/2026

Peter Waite dedicated his career to adult literacy and was a founder of the National Coalition for Literacy. His sudden passing was a heartbreaking loss for the literacy field.

His family indicates in his obituary to make any donations in his memory to the National Coalition for Literacy, which you can do via NCL's website: www.nationalcoalitionforliteracy.org

NCL will designate these donations in his honor, directing them toward a specific initiative that reflects his legacy.

https://www.addisonindependent.com/2026/04/02/peter-arthur-waite-75-of-middlebury/

01/19/2026

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a strong advocate for literacy and education. He believed that education was essential to freedom and that literacy made participation in society possible. King's vision of education was not just about acquiring information and skills but about developing the ability to advocate for oneself and create a more just future. He emphasized the transformative power of education and literacy, which he believed are crucial for civic engagement and meaningful and sustainable employment. King's commitment to literacy and education is reflected in his work and the values he championed, which continue to inspire and influence today.

01/19/2026

BECOME A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL COALITION FOR LITERACY

Literacy changes lives - and strong advocacy makes literacy possible!

NCL is only as strong as its membership. NCL members build a strong, unified voice for adult education and literacy providers nationwide.

By becoming a member of the National Coalition for Literacy, you join a nationwide network working to elevate adult education and literacy, strengthen support at all levels, and ensure every adult has the skills needed to thrive at work, at home, and in their community.

Your voice helps shape policy, ensure funding, amplify impact, and advance opportunity.

Join us and be part of the movement for adult education and literacy.

Organizational and Individual membership options are available. To learn more, visit NCL's website at www.nationalcoalitionforliteracy.org. To become a member, complete NCL's Membership Form: https://form.jotform.com/253637225632154

01/15/2026

CONTACT CONGRESS TODAY TO PROTECT ADULT EDUCATION FUNDING

Currently, the Senate L-HHS-E appropriations bill has adult education level funded and the House L-HHS-E appropriations bill has adult education funding zeroed out. Negotiations are taking place NOW between the House and Senate on where they will land with adult education (and other) funding.

House and Senate Appropriations Committee leaders hope to release a three-bill package of final FY2026 spending bills on Sunday (January 18th) that will include the Labor-HHS-Education spending bill. This means the rest of this week is the best chance to get Congress to include the funding levels and the spending and administrative guardrails included that will protect adult education funding. NCL is supporting the following funding level and guardrails (that are in the Senate's L-HHS-E spending bill):

•That $729,167,000 shall be for AEFLA, of which $13,712,000 shall be for national leadership activities under section 242.
• [Sec. 313] The Secretary shall award to each State an amount as required under the applicable provisions of AEFLA for each formula grant program to which funds are appropriated in this Act on the date such funds become available for obligation.
• [Sec. 512] None of the funds made available in this Act may be transferred to any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government, except pursuant to a transfer made by, or transfer authority provided in, this Act or any other appropriation Act.

Therefore, NCL is encouraging everyone to reach out to your legislators TODAY!

TESOL is graciously allowing NCL to use their ACT NOW page to contact your legislators electronically to request adult education funding, use the following link: https://tesol.quorum.us/campaign/153162/

Fill in the information and an editable communication that will be sent via email to your senators and representative will pop up. Here's how I edited the communication when I sent it: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HDe6JmLDk3pl6CH6BLPQd2fFpsTaKf9m/edit

Also, NCL encourages you to reach out to the following members of the House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Committee. Ask them to put funding back into their bill for adult education!

Robert Aderholt (AL) – Chair (202) 225-4876
Mike Simpson (ID) (202) 225-5531
Andy Harris (MD) (202) 225-5311
Chuck Fleischmann (TN) (202) 225-3271
John Moolenaar (MI) (202) 225-3561
Julia Letlow (LA) – Vice Chair (202) 225-8490
Andrew Clyde (GA) (202) 225-9893
Jake Ellzey (TX) (202) 225-2002
Stephanie Bice (OK) (202) 225-2132
Riley Moore (WV) (202) 225-2711

I encourage you to use NASDAE's Fact Sheets - both for the U.S. and for the member's state. Let them know how their state will be impacted if adult education funding is reduced or eliminated. https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/kyva/viz/NASDAEAdultEducationFactSheets2023-24DraftV2/ProgramYear2023-24

So, contact legislators today and encourage others to do so, too. REPOST!

Fund AEFLA Title II

01/15/2026

NCL members met with legislative staff of members of House and Senate Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Committees to discuss the value of adult education and family literacy, and encourage continued funding for WIOA - Title II AEFLA. National Center for Families Learning ProLiteracy TESOL International Association ALL IN: The Adult Literacy and Learning Impact Network WestEd Burlington English World Education National Skills Coalition

12/23/2025

12/07/2025

Today is Giving Tuesday. Please consider making a donation to support the work of the National Coalition for Literacy to improve literacy in the U.S.

Access the donation link via the QR code on the flyer below. Also, if you could be so kind as to share this post on your timeline.

10/23/2025

It is my honor to inform you on behalf of the NCL Board of Directors that Jody Angelone is the recipient of NCL's Distinguished National Literacy Leadership Award.

The National Coalition for Literacy’s Leadership Award recognizes individuals and organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to improving adult literacy in the United States. Those who receive this Award have demonstrated an impactful and sustained lifetime commitment to supporting and advancing literacy throughout their professional career on the local, state, and national levels.

Throughout Jody's career in adult education, she has demonstrated unwavering dedication, exceptional expertise, and a deep commitment to excellence. Her work has consistently gone beyond expectations—driving innovation, inspiring colleagues, and creating meaningful impact within our field. She has led with both vision and integrity, and has played a key role in transforming the challenges we face in adult education into opportunities for growth and progress. Her legacy is one of leadership, collaboration, and lasting contributions that the field of adult education and literacy will continue to benefit from into the future.

Read the full announcement here: https://nationalcoalitionforliteracy.org/research/national-literacy-leadership-award/ (where you can also add a comment about your connection to Jody and her work).

Thank you, Jody, for all you have done and continue to do for adult education!

Join NCL in congratulating Jody on this well-deserved recognition.

The National Coalition for Literacy’s Leadership Award recognizes individuals and organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to improving adult literacy in the United States. Those wh…