What is family literacy?
Family literacy is a proven intergenerational approach that improves the literacy, language and life skills of both parents and children. Learning together, families discover new pathways to success. To read more about family literacy, click here.

What does NCFL do?
NCFL’s mission is to create a literate nation by leveraging the power of the family. National and international experts look to NCFL as the leading resource in family learning and literacy. NCFL’s work benefits families, teachers, programs and communities by creating an understanding of low literacy and its impact on families; developing interventions that break the cycle of low literacy; creating innovative solutions to learning English for the nation’s immigrant population; developing effective tools for educators; providing resources for families to help them build literacy into their daily lives; and designing strategic programs for communities to provide literacy services to large numbers of families. To read more about NCFL, click here.

How has NCFL made an impact on families?
More than one million families have made positive educational and economic gains as a result of NCFL’s work, which includes training more than 150,000 teachers and thousands of volunteers. Both the short-term and long-term effectiveness of high-quality family literacy programs have been demonstrated consistently through research conducted by NCFL and others. To read how research supports the family literacy approach, click here.

How can I support NCFL and family literacy?
NCFL’s work is based on generations learning together. Learn how you can help ensure this work continues for generations to come. Click here to find out the many ways you can support NCFL. Please also explore the Family Literacy & You section of the site to learn about volunteer opportunities and activities parents can do with their children to support learning at home.

How does my gift impact families?
NCFL takes seriously its responsibility to individuals and organizations who provide financial support as well as its responsibility to the families who rely on its services. As a result, NCFL adheres to the highest standards for fiscal responsibility. Independent charity evaluators regularly suggest expenses allocated to program services should exceed 65 percent. NCFL historically exceeds this number, and dedicated more than 80 percent of expenses to program services in the past fiscal year. NCFL has earned the Better Business Bureau’s charity seal, a designation that confirms the organization’s compliance with the BBB’s comprehensive accountability standards.

How can parents support their children’s literacy development?
Parents are their children’s first teacher. Reading aloud to your child, talking about your child’s interests, pointing out ways that reading and literacy are important in your everyday life—all of these are ways you can help your child value education. For literacy activities parents can do with their children, click here.

How can I volunteer in a literacy program?
There are many ways individuals can help their local community and programs. From raising awareness of the literacy challenges facing the families in your community to tutoring students one-on-one, any contribution of your time and talents will be appreciated. To find a program near you, click here. To learn about the different roles volunteers can play in a literacy program, click here.

How can I influence educational policy?
To start, register on NCFL’s site so that your voice can be counted among the millions of people who support family literacy as a viable solution to the challenges of poverty and low academic achievement. By adding your name to NCFL’s list of concerned constituents, you help NCFL demonstrate that there is high public interest in educational reform. You also can learn about current legislation that affects literacy programming and find tips about how to be a literacy advocate in the Action Center.

How can I contact my elected officials?
You can search for an elected official in NCFL’s Action Center. To read tips to help you communicate with your elected officials, visit the Advocacy Tips section.

How does NCFL help teachers?
NCFL’s professional development system utilizes the latest scientific research and is informed by more than 15 years of field experience and model program development. Through on-site training and technical assistance, tools and resources, online courses, and the National Conference on Family Literacy, NCFL offers a variety of support services to teachers, administrators and volunteers to enhance their work with families. To read more about NCFL’s professional development system, click here.

What is National Family Literacy Day?
National Family Literacy Day is an annual event held on November 1st and celebrated by literacy programs, schools, libraries and community organizations across the country. It is an opportunity to engage the public in the critical role parents play in their child’s educational success. For tips to share with parents in conjunction with your National Family Literacy Day celebration, click here.