Upcoming Events:
Literacy Texas is the statewide literacy coalition. We act as a support system for adult and family literacy programs, connecting and equipping them through resources, training, networking and advocacy.
Our vision is that every literacy organization in Texas will have what it needs to help adults and families learn basic literacy skills, so that all people can participate fully in society.
2025 Literacy Texas Annual Conference RFP now open – closes March 26.
Our first in-person symposium for the Central Texas region in some years will take place in Austin in April.
In March, it’s Focus on ABE – come spend an hour with local experts!
Our theme in March is Focus on ABE.
Connect with this theme:
- Best of Texas: Focus on ABE (online, March 27)
Too important to ignore
“Across Texas, there are hundreds of small non-profits, public libraries, church ministries, and other community-based organizations working with skeleton crews and shoestring budgets to support this slice of our population. These organizations are hosting bake sales and car washes so that they can buy curriculum for their programs…”
Read more of this post by our Executive Director, Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker, on the LitTX blog.
How You Can Make a Difference in Texas
What Literacy Texas does
We provide resources and training to the staff and volunteers at community-based organizations (CBOs). Texas literacy organizations help adults to learn English, increase their reading, and many have a particular focus on assisting parents and caregivers to increase their own literacy and support their child’s learning.
We support CBO staff and volunteers who offer alternative high school degree programs.
We support workforce CBO programs and advocate with public policy leaders to enhance the positive impact of a more literate society.
We work with other literacy organizations, foundations, and business leaders to stress the need for public policy change to improve these numbers.
We are a champion of finding resources to keep students in the formal education system.
We hold multiple regional symposia and an annual conference free of charge to CBO staff and volunteers.
Literacy Issues Impacting the Texas Economy
Texas has 6.5 million residents who speak a language other than English at home. Texas has a growing and diverse population.
In Texas there are 3.8 million adults without a high school diploma.
A rise of 1 percent in literacy scores leads to a 2.5 percent rise in Texas labor productivity.
Literacy programs throughout Texas are only serving 3.6 percent of the 3.8 million in need.
Dropouts cost Texas $9.6 billion annually (United Way of Texas). Improving this number will greatly enhance the economic welfare of Texas.
Texas is 47th among states ranked by percent of literate citizens in 2017.
What Literacy Texas is Doing About It
We hold 6 symposia and an annual conference free of charge to CBO staff and volunteers.
Our strategic supporters are the best!
Making an impact on literacy in Texas isn't something we can do by ourselves.
See the organizations behind the scenes who make all that we do possible.
Good Things Are Happening at Literacy Texas
800+
Members
400+
Organizations
60+
Supporters
Membership in Literacy Texas Has Many Benefits
Professional Development
Grow your skills, attend programs and webinars, learn from keynote speakers, improve professionally.
Literacy Training & Resources
Get access to literacy training, the LT resource library, news updates and even more training materials.
Networking Opportunities
Engage and network with other program participants, organizations, LT supporters and volunteers.
Symposia & Conferences
Go to symposia throughout Texas, learn about new issues & advocacy and attend LT’s 3-day conference.
View our calendar for symposia, annual conference, webinars, and other events.
Literacy Texas Blog: Literacy Transforms Texas
Too important to ignore
Author: Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker, Literacy Texas Executive Director According to 2017 data from the National Center for Education Statistics, a division of the U.S. Department of Education, 17 percent
Who you gonna call? A librarian!
Author: Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker, Literacy Texas Executive Director Life was pretty lonely for me in 2022 while I was finishing my doctorate and preparing for the final defense of
Striking a Balance: Humanity vs Economics
Author: Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker, Literacy Texas Executive Director I’m a sucker for a good, gut-wrenching success story. It’s one of the reasons I love to attend when an adult
The Heart of Learning: Family Literacy for a Brighter Tomorrow
Author: Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker, Literacy Texas Executive Director When I have the opportunity to talk with adult learners, I always ask about their “why.” They usually tell me it’s
Breaking the Stigma: Addressing Mental Health & Substance Use Within Health Literacy
Author: Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker, Literacy Texas Executive Director My dad and I had a complicated relationship. I loved him, and I know he loved me, but his mental health
Just a teacher?
Author: Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker, Literacy Texas Executive Director When I stopped working directly with students and transitioned into my first administrative position, I was surprised to find myself grieving
