General Adult Literacy Websites

You may find the following adult literacy related websites helpful and informative:

•ABC Life Literacy Canada:  http://www.abclifeliteracy.ca/ 

The goal of ABC Life Literacy Canada is to help Canadians improve their literacy skills by promoting learning throughout the lifespan. This non-profit organization achieves its goal by promoting partnerships between individuals, businesses, governmental agencies and community organizations.

•American Association for Adult and Continuing Education: http://www.aaace.org/
The American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE) is a non-profit organization dedicated to extending adult knowledge growth and development. AAACE targets adult learners, educators, and researchers and focuses on developing theory, research, information, and best practices in order for adult learners to have more fulfilling lives.

•Center for Adult English Language Acquisition: http://www.cal.org/caela/
The Center for Adult English Language Acquisition (CAELA) is dedicated to helping states in their efforts to promote English language learning. It also provides a database of adult ESL related documents for administrators, teachers, students and researchers. As of 2009, the Department of Education’s funding for the project ended. These CAELA resources are archived materials.

•Center for Applied Linguistics: http://www.cal.org/
The Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) is a non-profit organization that focuses on how to effectively improve communication skills. CAL provides research-based information in many areas such as bilingualism, English as a second language, dialect, and cultural diversity among adults and children. The staff at CAL conducts and disseminates research, develops instructional materials, and encourages professional development for educators.

•Commission on Adult Basic Education: http://www.coabe.org/
The Commission on Adult Basic Education (COABE) is dedicated to improving the quality of adult literacy services by promoting professional development and advocacy for adult education programs. The commission accomplishes this by providing leadership, advocating development and dissemination of research and materials in the field, and by conducting/sponsoring professional development conferences.

•Institute of Education Sciences: http://ies.ed.gov/
The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is the research, evaluation, assessment, development, and statistics branch of the U.S. Department of Education. IES comprises of four Centers: the National Center for Education Research, the National Center for Education Statistics, the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, and the National Center for Special Education Research.

•Literacy.org: http://www.literacy.org/
Literacy.org provides information for literacy in the U.S and worldwide. Examples of areas covered are assessment, multi-disciplinary approaches, educational technology, professional development, intergenerational literacy, and multimedia instructional design.

•Literacy Information and Communication System: http://lincs.ed.gov/
The Literacy Information and Communication System (LINCS) is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education. It organizes, promotes, and disseminates evidence-based resources within the field of adult education. LINCS includes a resource collection, regional professional development centers, and an online community of practice.

•National Center for Families Learning: http://www.familieslearning.org/
The National Center for Families Learning works with community partners to develop effective family literacy programs. It also provides free online resources, and professional development opportunities in the area of family literacy.

•National Coalition for Literacy: http://www.national-coalition-literacy.org/
The National Coalition for Literacy aims to advance adult education, family literacy, and English language learning by educating the public about the need to increase funding and programs, endorsing effective public policy, and serving as a resource on adult education issues.

•Northstar Digital Literacy Project: http://digitalliteracyassessment.org/index.php
The Northstar Digital Literacy Project teaches basic computer and online skills through self-guided modules at no cost. After modules are complete, individuals can obtain the Northstar Digital Literacy Certificate, which can be used as a credential for employment.

•Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/index.html
The Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education focuses on adult literacy, career/technical, and community college education. It supports various activities to help young and older adults to further their education and training.

•Open Door Collective: http://www.opendoorcollective.org
Open Door Collective is a national group of adult basic skills researchers, practitioners, professional development specialists, as well as adult basic skills stakeholders from labor and workforce development, criminal justice reform, public libraries, immigrant and refugee education and integration, health, and other areas. This group had produced several ‘Make the Case’ and ‘Can Do’ papers for adult basic skills advocates, which can be found on their website under the ODC Papers and Resources tabs.

•ProLiteracy: http://www.proliteracy.org/
ProLiteracy brings together diverse literacy focused people to create cutting edge programs with the aim of benefitting adult learners around the globe. Its activities include professional development opportunities, credentialing of trainers and managers, creating and maintaining a national adult literacy directory, advocating for adult literacy needs, and providing a publishing branch for adult literacy materials and resources.

•VALUEUSA: http://www.valueusa.org/
VALUEUSA is a national organization directed and run by current and former adult learners. This organization is dedicated not only to adult literacy, but also to improving the U.S. educational system at all levels.

•WeLearn: http://welearnwomen.org/
WeLearn is dedicated to improving the literacy of women and promoting literacy as a tool that fosters empowerment and equity for women. WeLearn provides a safe, focused, and encouraging environment that enables women to realize their full potential by achieving in the areas of community leadership, workplace relations, and academic success.