Collective Advocacy and Policy Influence – We unite the field to speak with a stronger, more coordinated voice on behalf of adult education and literacy.
Expanding Access
By bringing together national, state, and local partners, we advance policies that expand access, increase investment, and ensure adult learners have the skills they need to succeed. Through collective advocacy, we elevate what works, influence decision-makers, and drive lasting systems change
Investing & Integrating
• Invest in Adult Education and Family Literacy for a Competitive Workforce
• Build an Integrated Skills-Based Workforce System by Reauthorizing WIOA
• Develop Strong Career Pathways by Aligning Adult Education, CTE, Workforce Systems and Apprenticeships
• Invest in English Learning to Expand Workforce Participation Across Industries and Drive Economic Growth
Visibility & Public Awareness
We elevate the importance of adult education and literacy by increasing public understanding and recognition of its impact.
Expanding Access
Through strategic communications, storytelling, and national engagement, we shine a light on the needs of adult learners and the value of the field, by building broader support, reducing stigma, and positioning literacy as essential to opportunity and economic growth.
Capacity Building:
Increasing Access and
Improving Effectiveness
Purpose
We work to ensure that all adults who need literacy services can access high-quality programs that deliver real results.
Supporting
By expanding access, strengthening systems, supporting providers, and promoting evidence-based practices, we expand reach while improving outcomes so more learners can build skills, achieve their goals, and succeed in work and life.
Partnerships & Cross-Sector Collaboration
Purpose
We bring together leaders across education, workforce, business, and community systems to strengthen adult education and literacy and expand opportunity. By building and aligning partnerships, we connect resources, expertise, and strategies to create seamless pathways for adult learners to access education, training, and good jobs
Collaborating
Participation in National Coalition for Literacy is open to all organizations interested in advancing adult education, English language learning and adult and family literacy in U.S.
Protect Adult Education Funding
The Administration’s FY 2027 budget proposal would eliminate all federal funding for Adult Education under Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA).
How we drive impact
NCL is leading organizations dedicated to advancing adult education, family literacy, and English learning.
Upcoming Events
Calendars
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Mon
17
Sun
13
Adult Education & Family Literacy Week
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National Adult Education and Family Literacy (AEFL) Week was launched by the National Coalition for Literacy in 2009 in partnership with congressional leaders to raise national awareness of the importance of adult education and family literacy. NCL has championed the observance on behalf of the field ever since. This year AEFL Week will be celebrated...
NCL Annual Member Meeting
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Join us for the National Coalition for Literacy Annual Member Meeting to be held at the American Library Association. Both in person and virtual options are available. Following the Member Meeting, NCL in partnership with the Elevated Education Consulting Group (EECG) will host a Networking & Awards Reception from 5:00pm to 7:00 p.m. at the...
Tue
06
AAACE Annual Conference
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Celebrating 100 Years of Adult Education: Shaping Our Global Future with Purpose, Well-Being, Joy, and Resilience This centennial theme honors a century of transformative impact in adult education—celebrating the educators, learners, and communities whose commitment has strengthened the field through wars, crises, and social change. It recognizes the joy of lifelong learning, the resilience that...
Wed
14
NCL New England Regional Symposium
Charting the Course Together: Building New England’s Future Workforce Through Adult Education The National Coalition for Literacy (NCL), in partnership with the Maine Adult Education Association (MAEA), is excited to bring leaders and stakeholders from across New England together for: Charting the Course Together: Building New England’s Future Workforce Through Adult Education • October 14,...
Maine Adult Education Association Annual Conference
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Maine Adult Education celebrates 60 years! Join teachers, employers, and state leaders at Charting the Course: Building Maine’s Workforce Through Adult Education. This premier symposium unites key stakeholders at the Sebasco Harbor Resort in Phippsburg, ME, on October 15 & 16, 2026. Together, we will align classroom learning with regional economic needs, close the skills...
Sun
08
NCFL Families Learning Conference
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Engaging families in education is integral to achieving greater literacy and learning outcomes for families, higher attendance rates for children, and positive outcomes for communities. The Families Learning Conference is laser-focused on delivering learning content to support educators and others to engage families in family literacy, family engagement, and family leadership settings with an emphasis...
27th Annual NAWDP Youth Symposium
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This year’s theme, Mission: Possible, is about what happens when the workforce development field comes together. When workforce professionals convene, new partnerships form and proven strategies spread faster. A session you attend could reshape a program back home. A conversation in the hallway could turn into your next referral partner. A new tool you pick...
TESOL Virtual Conference
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Connect with thousands of your colleagues around the world at the premier online event for English language teaching (ELT)—the TESOL 2026 Virtual Convention held on 20–21 November! At this dynamic two-day event, you will: Gain fresh strategies, best practices, and tools to meet the needs of those you support. Discover new perspectives from ELT professionals...
National Skills Summit
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The 2027 Skills Summit is an advocacy-focused convening for workforce policy champions who are eager to protect workforce investments that workers, local businesses, and our economy rely on – while shaping a more fair and prosperous future for everyone. Held in Washington, DC on March 3–5, 2027, the Skills Summit is a chance for NSC’s...
TESOL International Expo & Conference
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Join thousands of English language teaching professionals from around the world in Houston, Texas, 15-18 March, for the TESOL 2027 International Convention & Expo! Experience inspiring keynotes, hundreds of engaging sessions, an expansive Expo, and countless opportunities to connect, learn, and grow. TESOL’s renowned convention is where ideas thrive, global connections abound, and the future...
World Literacy Summit - Literacy in a Connected World
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The World Literacy Summit is the world’s largest gathering of international literacy specialists, including NGO leaders, researchers, academics, teachers, professors, literacy entrepreneurs, education companies, publishers, practitioners, government representatives and most importantly the learners themselves. Join us at Oxford – Registration Opens October 1, 2026 Hotels Info » Ticket Info »
JFF Horizons Summit
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Horizons unites employers seeking workforce solutions, investors funding the future of work, government leaders shaping workforce policy, entrepreneurs reimagining education and training, and education and workforce development providers delivering opportunity to those who need it most. Horizons showcases our shared dedication to economic success for people, businesses, and communities. Join committed leaders from every sector...
American Library Association Annual Conference
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Save the date for the ALA 2027 Annual Conference & Exhibition, June 24–28 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Thousands from the global library community will come together in The Big Easy to exchange ideas, discover new solutions, and strengthen the connections that move our profession forward. Library workers, supporters, authors, and exhibitors are all invited to...
Proliteracy Conference
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We are passionate about leading the adult literacy field to the best practices for program and student success. This is why you can expect insightful thought leadership, hands-on innovation, and energizing collaborations that will inspire bold ideas to influence your practice and build program capacity. Our 2027 conference will be extra exciting as we gear...
Calendars
Days of the Week
Time of Day
Venues
Month
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WedW
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27
28
29
All-day
GED Conference
30
All-day
GED Conference
31
All-day
GED Conference
1
2
3
4
5
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NCL Policy & Issues Roundtable
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
All-day
NAWDP Business Services Academy
18
All-day
NAWDP Business Services Academy
19
All-day
NAWDP Business Services Academy
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
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6
Strategic Priorities
Policy & Advocacy
We unite the field to speak with a stronger, more coordinated voice on behalf of adult education and literacy. By bringing together national, state, and local partners, we advance policies that expand access, increase investment, and ensure adult learners have the skills they need to succeed.
Awareness & Visibility
Through strategic communications, storytelling, and national engagement, we shine a light on the needs of adult learners and the value of the field, by building broader support, reducing stigma, and positioning literacy as essential to opportunity and economic growth.
Access & Effectiveness
By expanding access, strengthening systems, supporting providers, and promoting evidence-based practices, we expand reach while improving outcomes so more learners can build skills, achieve their goals, and succeed in work and life.
Partnerships & Collaboration
By building and aligning partnerships, we connect resources, expertise, and strategies to create seamless pathways for adult learners to access education, training, and good jobs.
