NCFL’s mission is to create a literate nation by leveraging the power of the family.

Family literacy is an intergenerational approach based on the indisputable evidence that low literacy is an unfortunate and debilitating family tradition. Parents who are not literate tend to have children who struggle academically and who often do not achieve literacy proficiency in adulthood.

Family literacy helps parents and children form a learning partnership that ends the cycle of poverty and low literacy. NCFL works to find solutions to the literacy crisis that build on the family to create a new cycle of ongoing learning and mutual support. (Read more about family literacy.)

Description of NCFL’s Work

National and international experts look to NCFL as the leading resource in family learning and literacy. Literacy programs, policy makers and philanthropists rely on NCFL’s leadership, advocacy and professional services to address the educational challenges facing the nation.

NCFL’s goals are to:

• Create understanding about low literacy and about how family is the transformative structure to improve literacy for adults and children;
• Develop, evaluate, and replicate programs and interventions poised to break the cycle of low literacy for families with the greatest barriers to success;
• Create innovative solutions to learning English and achieving literacy proficiency for the nation’s immigrant population;
• Support the teachers, practitioners, and community providers who deliver literacy services by developing and supplying tools to make their work more effective;
• Provide families with tools and information necessary to build literacy into their home and daily life; and
• Assist communities and service organizations in designing and developing strategic programs to provide literacy services at the local level to large numbers of families.

Model program development has long been a hallmark of NCFL’s work. By capitalizing on the strengths of families and the flexibility of the family literacy approach, NCFL quickly responds to the changing needs and demographics of underserved populations.

Programs developed by NCFL are supported by federal and state legislation as well as public-private partnerships in most communities across the nation. The Toyota Family Literacy Program, operating in 60 elementary schools in 20 communities serving Hispanic and other immigrant families, is a current example of NCFL’s model programming. The models developed through the NCFL-Toyota 16-year partnership are now reflected in more than 6,000 programs around the country.

Literacy initiatives and programs at the local, state and national levels benefit from NCFL’s work in a variety of ways:

Knowledge and research. NCFL employs some of the most creative, well-educated, experienced education specialists in the nation. This expertise is frequently called upon by national business and education leaders to develop solutions that address the most urgent needs of families. NCFL also frequently collaborates with internationally recognized researchers and institutions to integrate the latest scientifically based methods into resources for teachers and parents.

Tools and resources. NCFL draws on its years of field experience to develop practical tools for educators, administrators, parents and communities that improve literacy services for families. Resources developed by NCFL include curricula, textbooks, student and volunteer recruitment materials, and family activity guides to help programs increase their rate of success. Examples of tools recently created by NCFL include Parenting for Academic Success: A Curriculum for Families Learning English and Applying Research in Reading Instruction for Adults: First Steps for Teachers.

Training and technical assistance. NCFL provides vital support to programs and organizations through Web-based and in-person training for professional, paraprofessional and volunteer staff. All of NCFL’s training is research-based and incorporates proven hands-on strategies for working with adult learners, English language learners, parents and children. Technical assistance is offered on-site to help programs improve instruction and enhance service delivery.

NCFL’s expertise and accomplishments are frequently referenced by the media. In the last year, NCFL has been cited in national media outlets such as USA Today, C-SPAN and NBC Nightly News. Recent Public Service Announcements have received print coverage in The New York Times and USA Today and broadcast coverage on outlets including The Hallmark Channel. In addition, NCFL received more than $97 million in donated media from a recent Ad Council campaign.