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National Literacy Month 2021

August 29, 2021 by Kathryn Bauchelle

Literacy Month 2021

Literacy transforms Texas.

How often have you seen “the literacy problem” framed in terms of doom and gloom? Lost wages, lost opportunities, lost tax dollars, lost hope. It’s true that low literacy damages lives and potential in countless ways. But why not look at it through a different lens?

Helping an adult increase their literacy, even modestly, can have a positive ripple effect through their life, the lives of their children and family members, and on out into society. An adult who can read fluently and well is more confident. They’re more likely to understand forms, paperwork, and medication labels. They’re able to get a job more easily, move up in that job, and need less financial aid. 

An adult in a parenting role – whether a parent, a grandparent, or another adult important in a child’s life – who can speak English fluently and read well is more likely to be involved in that child’s education. They can read the notes sent home from school and participate confidently at parent-teacher nights. They make reading aloud a regular practice and children grow up with a love for books, curious minds, and valuing education.

And raising literacy scores is a dynamic cash injection for the economy. By some counts, the impact could be as much as $2 trillion every single year.

So, during September – National Literacy Month – let’s celebrate the power of literacy. It can transform lives, whole communities, and this nation. And then let’s continue our work.

Opportunities for you to make a difference this month:

  • Find a program local to you and get involved as a volunteer or in other ways.
  • Amplify the literacy message on International Literacy Day, September 8.
  • Celebrate Welcoming Week, September 10 – September 19, and help our newest neighbors feel at home.
  • Advocate for literacy issues during Adult Education & Family Literacy Week, September 19 – September 25.
  • Learn about the importance of a local focus at a special webinar, A Blueprint for Literacy Action, on September 23.

And of course literacy work never stops – even after September ends, there are ways to stay involved:

  • Tell your colleagues in the Dallas-Fort Worth area about the latest Literacy Texas Regional Literacy Symposium, coming up on October 8.
  • Prepare to learn at the National Families Learning Conference online, October 25 – October 27.

Literacy transforms Texas. And you’re part of that transformation. Thank you for your efforts!

Can we stay in touch? There’s so much to do. And our efforts will be richer and more effective if you’re part of them.

Sign up for our newsletter here.

Add your voice to our socials on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Sources for information in blog post:

Low Literacy Levels Among U.S. Adults Could Be Costing The Economy $2.2 Trillion A Year, Forbes, September 9, 2020

Fast Facts on Adult Literacy, National Center for Education Statistics

Filed Under: EAL & ESL, Family Literacy, High School Equivalency, Immigrants & Refugees, Parents & Caregivers

Understanding Immigration and Refugees

July 15, 2021 by Literacy Texas

On the homepage of Human Rights Initiative of North Texas, it reads: “The monumental triumph of escaping abusive environments often demands everything from survivors.” While this is not the story of every immigrant or refugee entering the United States, HRI was founded to help the tens of thousands of people for whom it is true. 

With so much misinformation about immigrants and the immigration system, it’s natural and convenient to paint this entire community with the same brush. As educators and advocates, we must fight to avoid this trap. Here are a few ways.

1) Know the different types of immigrants

These are just a few of the different types of immigration status, according to the State Justice Institute: Naturalized citizens, conditional permanent resident, special immigrant juvenile, VAWA self-petitioner, refugee or asylum seeker, and crime victim or witness. 

Each status has unique challenges and will need different types of support. Some people will just need a helping hand. Others will need financial and material support for their families. Others will need intensive healing from the pain and trauma of fleeing a dangerous situation.  

2) Know where immigrants are coming from

While 25% come from Mexico, it might surprise you that 28% of all USA immigrants actually come from various regions of Asia.  Of course, other regions make up significant shares. According to Pew Research, it breaks down like this: Europe, Canada and other North America (13%), the Caribbean (10%), Central America (8%), South America (7%), the Middle East and North Africa (4%), and sub-Saharan Africa (5%). 

3) Know their intelligence and challenges

Since 1970, a higher percentage of US immigrants have earned college degrees than native-born Americans. It’s very important to let this information lead to curiosity, not conclusions. There are so few things true of “most” immigrants, and even less that is true of “all” immigrants. 

If you were born and raised in a small town in South Carolina, New York City might feel like another country. Think of all the cultural differences: new colloquialisms, the pace of foot traffic, less personal space, fewer pleasantries in conversation. Even with a mastery of English, we struggle to navigate the legal system, leasing documents, the DMV, slick car salesmen, and the dozens of other tasks immigrants must complete just to settle in and start building a life for themselves and their families. 

As educators and literacy advocates, we must do the extra work it takes to meet our students where they are. English language learners and their families take many different paths to find their homes in the United States. What do we need to know about each student’s journey to help them move forward?

From August 2-4, Kali Cohn, the Director of Advocacy for HRI, will be leading sessions on “ Understanding Immigration and Refugees” as part of the 2021 Literacy Texas Annual Conference. She’ll break down the basics of how the immigration system works, where refugees and asylum seekers fit in, and what to do if your student needs support navigating the immigration system.

Visit https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/2021-literacy-texas-annual-conference/ to register and learn about the other speakers and sessions offered at this extraordinary event.

Filed Under: Family Literacy, Immigrants & Refugees

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