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.
A special 2-day symposium comes to Houston in June – both one-day and two-day registrations available.
For a short time only – enter to win a pre-conference ticket for August 4!
2025 Literacy Texas Annual Conference general registration is currently open, and will close on July 29.
Join a panel of experts from across the tri-state partnership (Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas) as we dive into community collaboration.
In June, it’s Literacy in Corrections – come spend an hour with local experts!
Our theme in July is Best Practices & Research.
Connect with this theme:
- July blog post, “xx”
- July newsletter, “xx”
- Best of Texas: Best Practices & Research (online, July 17)
- YouTube highlight: “Name of Video”
Second Chances Start With Compassionate Teachers
“In the adult education and literacy field, we’re fortunate to have students with a diverse range of backgrounds, and some of those backgrounds include substance use and incarceration.
It’s not our job to decide if they’re worthy of a second chance. It’s our job to help them begin again when they’re ready for it…“
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
Second Chances Start With Compassionate Teachers
Author: Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker, Literacy Texas Executive Director One of the most impactful professional development workshops I’ve ever attended was led by brain researcher Dr. Marcia Tate. In her
Elevating English Proficiency through Visual Literacy
This is a guest post by Tara Benwell, VP of Publishing at Ellii. You can find Ellii among the exhibitors at the 2025 Literacy Texas Annual Conference. Visual literacy is
The opposite of “wasteful”
Author: Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker, Literacy Texas Executive Director Since his election, President Trump has prioritized the need to reform wasteful spending on the federal level. Most Americans would agree
Loving our neighbors with literacy
Author: Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker, Literacy Texas Executive Director Houses of worship often serve as the center of a community, providing the perfect place for language learning, adult basic education,
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
