On April 24, 1989, Texas Adult Literacy Laubach (TALL) was officially incorporated in Austin, Texas, as a 501©(3) non-profit organization of the national Laubach Literacy Action (LLA). Articles of Incorporation were signed by the State Library Literacy Specialist, who spearheaded the project; the Executive Director of Angelina County Literacy Council; and the Executive Director of Literacy Advance of Houston. TALL’s purpose was to address the needs of established and evolving literacy programs through communication, education, and public awareness. TALL’s goals were to provide state-of-the art training and a marketing strategy in the areas of funding and advocacy.

Since its inception, TALL grew geographically, in numbers and types of providers it supported. TALL’s Board expanded to 21 members who were predominantly Texas Laubach affiliates. In August 2000 at a joint conference held by Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA) and LLA in Nacogdoches, Texas, a Task Force of representatives from LVA and LLA was formed. It was entitled Texas Association of Adult Literacy Councils (TAALC) which had a purpose and goals similar to TALL’s.

On August 24, 2001, at another joint meeting of the two organizations in San Marcos, Texas, the TAALC Task Force agreed to operate under the name of TAALC and to retain the 501(c)(3) status of TALL. They elected two members from each organization to serve on the Executive Committee.

During February 2008, the Board of Directors voted to update the name of the organization to Literacy Texas. The new name, reflects a new mission of inclusion. It is the Texas state literacy coalition that provides resources, training, networking and advocacy for literacy programs in the state. It expanded its vision beyond adult literacy to community literacy. Participants include city and county libraries, community colleges, universities, school districts, reading coalitions, community-based literacy councils, faith-based literacy programs, and student leadership organizations. The organization’s ultimate goal is improving literacy levels in Texas.