News

NCL Members Hear about Forces Changing our Nation’s Future

Irwin Kirsch, of the Center for Global Assessment at Educational Testing Service, and co-author of “America’s Perfect Storm: Three Forces Changing Our Nation’s Future”, spoke at the NCL Membership Meeting in February. Kirsch noted that our nation is in the midst of a perfect storm, according to ETS researchers — and the forecast is grim — unless we invest in policies that will change our perilous course.

This report from ETS's Policy Information Center looks at the convergence of three powerful socioeconomic forces that are changing our nation's future: (1) substantial disparities in skill levels (reading and math); (2) seismic economic changes (widening wage gaps); and (3) sweeping demographic shifts (less education, lower skills). There is little chance that economic opportunities will improve among key segments of our population without change. National test results show no evidence of improvement over the last 20 years. Scores are flat and achievement gaps persist. To date, educational reform has not been sufficient to solve the problem. Hope for a better life — with decent jobs and livable wages — will vanish unless we act now. We must raise our learning levels, increase our reading and math skills and narrow the existing achievement gaps, or these forces will turn the American Dream into an American Tragedy — putting our nation at risk.

Read the full report and review Dr. Kirsch’s presentation by clicking here.

National Coalition for Literacy Honors Adult and Family Literacy Leaders at Washington, DC Reception

WASHINGTON – The National Coalition for Literacy honored four individuals and a charitable foundation for their contributions to improving literacy in the United States at a reception at the Library of Congress on September 5th. Those receiving NCL’s 2007 Literacy Leadership awards are:

• Congressman Michael Castle (R-DE)
• Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY)
• Dr. Irwin Kirsch, Director of the Center for Global Assessment, Educational Testing Service
• David A. Perdue Jr., former Chairman and CEO of Dollar General,
• The UPS Foundation

The award recognizes individuals and/or organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to improving literacy in the United States. Award recipients have demonstrated a deep and sustained individual or corporate commitment by supporting literacy on the local, state, and national levels.

Congressman Castle has been a champion for increased funding for adult education. Senator Clinton has promoted health literacy and been a strong supporter of funding for the Even Start family literacy program.

Dr. Irwin Kirsch worked on the first National Adult Literacy Survey and laid the groundwork for the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy; he also is one of the authors of The Perfect Storm: Three Forces That Are Shaping Our Nations Future. “We at ETS are deeply proud of the award the Coalition is presenting to Irwin Kirsch, one of my distinguished presidential appointees. His vision and pioneering research in literacy at home and abroad have served to advance ETS’ social mission and the cause of education everywhere.” stated Kurt Landgraf, President and CEO, Educational Testing Service.

As CEO of Dollar General, David A. Perdue Jr. oversaw the continued commitment of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to funding both local literacy efforts and the National Commission on Adult Literacy. Since 1989, The UPS Foundation has contributed over $19 million to support 400 local literacy programs in 120 communities throughout the US.

“The National Coalition for Literacy is extraordinarily pleased to honor our recipients. Each of them has contributed to raising awareness of the impact of low literacy on the U.S. population and economy, to funding solutions, and to visioning a better future for all,” said Sherrie Claiborne, president of the Board, National Coalition for Literacy. “Their leadership has truly strengthened literacy in America and been a constant source of inspiration and encouragement.”

click to see photos from the NCL award celebration

For past News items please check the News Archive

Upcoming National Coalition for Literacy Events

• September 10, 2008 Literacy Leadership Awards **date change
• September 11, 2008 Membership Meeting **date change
• October 15, 2008 Dollar General Presentation Series, Columbia, MO
• December 3, 2008 Public Policy Forum
• December 4, 2008 Membership Meeting

• Sept. 24-27, 2008 National Center for Developmental Education, 4th International Conference on Research in Access and Developmental Education, San Juan, Puerto Rico

• June 26-July 2, 2008 American Library Association Annual Conference, Anaheim, CA
• Sept. 27, 2008 The Center for the Book, National Book Festival, Washington, DC
• Oct. 1-4, 2008 ProLiteracy 2008 Annual Conference, Little Rock, AR
• Oct. 19-21, 2008 National Even Start Association Annual Conference, Austin, TX
• Nov. 1-2, 2008 Student Coalition for Action in Literacy Education, Read.Write.Act National Conference, Chapel Hill, NC
• Nov. 10-14, 2008 AAACE 2008 Conference, Denver, CO
• Nov. 12-15, 2008 National Adult Education Professional Development Consortium, National Training Institute, Seattle, WA
• Nov. 17-18, 2008 National Conference on Effective Transitions in Adult Education, World Education, Providence, RI Registration