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The National Adult Literacy and Learning Disabilities Center, funded by the National Institute for Literacy, promotes awareness about the relationship between adult literacy and learning disabilities. Through its national information exchange network and technical assistance training, the center helps literacy practitioners, policy makers, and researchers to meet the needs of adults with learning disabilities.
The National Alliance of Business is a nonprofit, business-led organization dedicated to creating public-private partnerships to improve the quality of America's work force. The alliance builds partnerships in K-12 education reform, work force literacy, school-to-work transition, and other areas that can help promote a highly skilled competitive work force.
The National Association for Parents of the Visually Impaired (NAPVI) was founded by parents in 1979 to help them find information and resources for their children who are blind, visually impaired, and blind with additional disabilities. Over the years NAPVI's outreach service has expanded to extend to families throughout the United States and the world. To educate parents about the unique developmental and educational needs of their children, NAPVI provides workshops and conferences, administers a national support and information network, produces a quarterly publication entitled Awareness, and supports the development of parent associations. NAPVI encourages parents, as their child's first teacher, to read to their children.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a nonprofit organization of nearly 100,000 members dedicated to improving the quality of care and education provided to our nation's young children (birth to age 8). NAEYC's primary goals are to improve professional practice of early childhood education and to build public understanding and support for high-quality early childhood programs. Among the vast array of resources available through the association's Early Childhood Resources Catalog are books and brochures related to the development of literacy in young children.
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is the trade association for the broadcasting industry, representing the networks and some 8,000 individual radio and television stations. NAB produces a variety of materials to help local broadcasters meet the needs of their communities and has actively addressed the issues of literacy and education.
Created in 1896 by the merger of the National Federation of Afro-American Women, the Women's Era Club of Boston, and the Colored Women's League of Washington, D.C., the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs is the oldest organization of African American women in the United States. With members in 40 states, the organization promotes the education of women and youth, seeks to improve family living, develops capacities for leadership, and promotes interracial understanding so that equality may be attained. The promotion of literacy is one of the major aims of the organization.
The National Association of Elementary School Principals, founded in 1921, is a professional organization of more than 26,000 elementary and middle-school principals serving some 30 million children in grades K-8, and other educators throughout the United States, Canada, and overseas. The association's commitment to literacy and reading follows directly from one of its major aims--ensuring that children and youth have access to an excellent education.
The National Association of Partners in Education (NAPE) helps form effective partnerships that are intended to ensure education success for all students. Through tutoring, mentoring, writing curriculums, sponsoring teacher training, and advocating higher academic standards, partnerships help create a successful learning environment for students. NAPE views a student's ability to read as essential to success in education.
The National Association of Secondary School Principals, an organization of 43,000 middle school and high school educators, was founded in 1916 to serve the professional needs of its members. Literacy is singularly important to the association and its members because it is the basis for most learning.
The National Association of University Women (NAUW), an organization founded in 1930 for African American women, has 98 branches and 4,000 members. To provide education services to African American learners at every level of development, NAUW sponsors the SELF Projects in all its branches across the country The project helps women who have left school and still need to master the basic skills required to function effectively in society.
Founded in 1970, the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) works to improve the quality of life and opportunities for African American children and their families through direct services, public education, leadership training, and research. NBCDI focuses on issues and services that fall within four areas: health, child welfare, education, and child care/early childhood education. The organization monitors public policy issues that affect African American children and educates the public through regular publications, an annual conference, and other public education forums. NBCDI is supported by a volunteer network of affiliates across the country.
Founded in 1989, the National Book Foundation, sponsor of the National Book Awards, raises funds to support a wide array of literary public outreach programs. Since its creation, the foundation has arranged public appearances for more than 100 authors in diverse settings (conferences, discussion groups, lectures, seminars, etc.) in 40 states. Other foundation programs include National Book Week, the third week in January, which is the occasion for celebrations across the country of writers, books, and reading; the Writing Life Project, which, with the state centers for the book and the state humanities councils, sponsors author residences and reading circles; and other public outreach programs such as the Family Literacy Project, the New York City Settlement House Program, the Summer Writing Camp in upstate New York, and the American Voices Project, designed to encourage reading and spark the literary imaginations of American Indians.
With a membership of some 200,000 educators, the National Catholic Educational Association represents Catholic educators at all levels and provides leadership, service, and research to its members. The promotion of literacy and reading is a fundamental concern.
The National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL) is a nonprofit corporation that aims to make literacy services available to every family in the nation that needs these services. NCFL provides model demonstration programs; state and local seminars and planning sessions for policy makers; training and technical assistance for family literacy instructors; research; and the dissemination of information to enhance the field of family literacy. Publications include a magazine, training materials, videotapes, and reports.
The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) is a leading national nonprofit organization committed to improving the lives of the one in seven children and adults with learning disabilities (LD). Services include raising public awareness and understanding of LD with national information and referral education programs and legislative advocacy. NCLD produces education packets and videos, an annual magazine, Their World, and newsletters to advance public awareness of LD. NCLD's information and referral service provides, free of charge, the latest information on LD and on resources available nationwide to parents, professionals and adults with LD. This library of free information holds over 3,000 resources and 25 topical packets. Because reading disabilities constitute the largest subset of LD, NCLD offers current resources on reading for both parents and teachers. Innovative education programs help people with LD and those who work with them through national summits, seminars, and training programs. NCLD offers membership to the public, which entitles individuals and organizations to receive a special packet on LD as well as regular updates and resources.
The National Child Care Information Center (NCCIC) was established under contract with the Child Care Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), to complement, enhance, and promote child care linkages and to support high-quality, comprehensive services for children and families. NCCIC serves as an adjunct Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) Clearinghouse for Child Care. Through its partnership with ERIC, the U.S. Department of Education, and DHHS, NCCIC is a source of information on family literacy and children's acquisition of literacy skills. NCCIC works closely with the AmeriCorps Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center to provide free information and technical assistance support to READ*WRITE*NOW! activities.
The National Clearinghouse for ESL Literacy Education (NCLE), an adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse, focuses on literacy education for adults and out-of-school youth learning English as a second language. NCLE provides to literacy instructors, volunteers, researchers, and program administrators around the country information and referral services on questions of literacy education for adults learning English. It also provides free publications on research and practice, NCLE Notes (a semiannual newsletter on literacy news and resources), books and papers on literacy education, and serves as a link to other national and local literacy contacts.
The National Conference of Lieutenant Governors provides a forum for exchange of views and experiences for those officials next in line of succession to the governorship in the 50 states and five territorial jurisdictions. It fosters interstate cooperation and promotes the efficiency and effectiveness of the Office of Lieutenant Governor. At the initiative of its Task Force on Education, the conference has become a partner in the Library of Congress national literacy campaigns and in promoting the importance of reading.
The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) provides leadership in the field of social studies education and professional development for social studies educators, and helps foster and strengthen social studies education. NCSS promotes the highest-quality social studies curriculum and instruction at all levels and in all settings. It promotes literacy and reading because command of the former and a love of the latter are essential qualifications for success in the field of social studies.
The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), established in 1935, is a nonprofit, membership organization dedicated to the advancement of education, social, and economic opportunities for African American women, their families and communities. Through 35 National African American Women's affiliate organizations and 250 community-based sections in 42 states, NCNW has an outreach to four million women.
The National Council of State Directors of Adult Education, formed in 1967 in response to the Adult Education Act of 1966, is made up of the administrators of the adult education programs of all 50 states and the U.S. territories. The council fosters public policy that supports literacy and basic education, promotes adult education as a professional field of endeavor, and works with other organizations interested and involved in literacy and basic skills education. Together, the federal and state programs that council members administer are the largest single source of literacy funding in the country.
The National Council of Teachers of English is devoted to improving the teaching of English and the language arts at all levels of education. Founded in 1911, it provides a forum for the profession, an array of opportunities for teachers to continue their professional growth throughout their careers, and a framework for cooperation to deal with issues that affect the teaching of English. It promotes the development of literacy and the use of language to enable people to achieve full participation in society.
The National Council on the Aging, a private, nonprofit organization established in 1950, serves as a national resource of information, training, technical assistance, advocacy, and research on every aspect of aging. It promotes lifelong learning opportunities for older adults in a variety of settings and sponsors reading and discussions in partnerships with libraries and other educators throughout the United States.
The National Dairy Council (NDC) has been a leader in nutrition research and education since 1915. NDC has been a partner with the U.S. Department of Education in developing an activity book for Title I and other children for the READ*WRITE*NOW! initiative.
The National Education Association (NEA), founded in 1857 "to elevate the character and advance the interests of the profession and to promote the cause of popular education in the United States," has 2.2 million members -- K-12 teachers, higher education faculty, and education support personnel, from preschool through postgraduate institutions, as well as students preparing to become teachers and some 100,000 retired educators. NEA believes that public education is at the very heart of the American dream, and continues to support programs that improve literacy and reading as part of its commitment to excellence in education.
The National Federation of Press Women, which represents 3,000 women working in the communication field, promotes literacy by using the newspaper to teach people to read. It sponsors nationwide Family Literacy Days in 15 cities to generate an awareness of the need to erase illiteracy and of the community spirit required to do so.
The National Indian Educational Association is a nonprofit association dedicated to improving education, and access to education, for American Indian and Alaskan Native people, for many of whom literacy is a major problem. It has over 3,000 members, most of whom are Indian, Aleut, or Inuit, directly involved in education as teachers, administrators, or in tribal or state education offices. Its interest extends from preschool through graduate and adult education.
The National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities is a clearinghouse that provides free information on disabilities and disability-related issues particularly with respect to children and youth (birth to age 22).
The National Newspaper Foundation is the educational arm of the National Newspaper Association, which represents the interests of more than 4,600 community newspapers. It distributes information on journalism careers and "Newspapers in Education" information and issues publications encouraging the maintenance of high professional standards. The promotion of literacy and reading is fundamental to the achievement of the other goals of the foundation.
The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc., serves as the coordinator of eight fraternities and sororities, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, in furtherance of their national programs to promote unity on college and university campuses and the communities where alumni (ae) chapters are located. Members of the national board of directors of the affiliate fraternities and sororities help the "Assault on Illiteracy Program (AOIP)."
The National Parents Teachers Association (PTA), founded in 1897, serves as an advocate for the education, health, safety, and welfare of children and youth. Members are parents, students, grandparents, teachers, school administrators, and other persons in the community. PTAs have sponsored outstanding reading and literacy programs and awards throughout the organization's history. The National PTA views the ability to read and the continued learning that is possible through reading as fundamental to improving the quality of education in America.
The National Reading Styles Institute is a research-based organization that promotes literacy through the use of instruction grounded in learning styles. It focuses on teacher training, the development of model schools, and the identification of strategies that result in high reading gains in short periods of time. The organization emphasizes the identification of student strengths, matching reading methods to those strengths, and the extensive use of modeling methods for those children with limited proficiency in English.
Founded in 1947, the National Retired Teachers Association (NRTA), a division of the American Association of Retired Persons, is a 1.2 million-member network serving 2,600 local retired education associations and 53 state- and city-affiliated associations. NRTA members are dedicated to providing continuous education opportunity for all; advocating and educating for financial security in retirement; protecting the rights and well-being of citizens, especially the old and the young; and participating in community service activities.
The National School Boards Association is a nonprofit organization that represents the national and federal interests of the 95,000 local school board members who serve on the 15,025 local school boards in the United States. Founded in 1940, the association promotes high-quality public education through the school board policy-making system. The association cooperates with other institutions to promote literacy among people of all ages through strong motivational strategies, concentrated focus, and effective program delivery.
The main goal of the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA), founded in 1935, is to improve citizen understanding of the objectives, accomplishments, and needs of the nation's schools by training educators to work more effectively with parents and the community. As the premiere education communications association, with links to all school districts across the nation and a mission to advance education through responsible communication, NSPRA disseminates successful programs, including those that promote literacy and reading, to increase public participation.
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), founded in 1944, is the largest organization in the world committed to the improvement of science education at all levels--preschool through college. NSTA's current membership of over 52,000 consists of science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education. The association publishes five journals, a newspaper, and some special publications. It conducts national and regional conventions that attract more than 30,000 participants annually. NSTA also provides awards and scholarships, teacher training workshops, educational tours, and an employment registry. It offers professional certification for science teachers in seven categories. As an advocate for science educators, it keeps its members and the general public informed about national issues and trends in science education. The promotion of scientific literacy throughout our society is fundamental to its mission.
The staff of the Education Department at the National Urban League works with affiliates to mobilize and train parents; build strong alliances with schools; work more effectively with other community-based organizations; collaborate with local, state, and national policy groups; conduct research and analysis; and develop policy statements based on that research.
The National Writing Project is a nationwide program to improve student writing by improving the teaching of writing at all grade levels, kindergarten through university. The project serves over 100,000 teachers a year at 160 local sites in 45 states.
The New Jersey Connection is a coalition of child-related associations and corporate sponsors that seek to give young people the "gift, joy, and promise of reading." Its activities, (open to students in grades 1 - 12), foster a love for reading and writing. The Enthusiastic Reader Award recognizes students who exhibit an enthusiasm for reading. The Young People's Book, an annual publication of students' writing about reading, gives young people from around the state a chance to share their feelings about and experiences with books. In Read-Aloud programs, young people and prominent adults from the community read aloud their favorite selections from literature in shopping malls, libraries, and schools. The Enthusiastic Librarian or Teacher Awards recognize teachers or librarians who exhibit enthusiasm in their reading programs.
The Newspaper Association of America Foundation, established in 1965, is the educational and charitable arm of the Newspaper Association of America (NAA), a trade association for the newspaper industry. Through its educational services department, the NAA Foundation sponsors programs that develop tomorrow's readers by helping them acquire and appreciate information from newspapers and other media. Through its literacy programs, the NAA Foundation helps newspapers and the communities they serve to provide opportunities to improve literacy among young students in an effort to create informed, participatory citizens.
Launched in 1994, Big Help is Nickelodeon's multiyear, grass-roots campaign to encourage youth to do volunteer work in their communities. Daily TV public service announcements suggest ways that youth can be involved and volunteer in their neighborhoods, including participation in reading, writing, and mentoring programs. Nickelodeon also provides kits free of charge to groups planning volunteer projects for youth.
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