November Observations
November is the month for two observations that are integrally related to adult literacy and adult education.
National Family Literacy Month
Founded in 1994 by the National Center for Families Learning, this observation “offers an opportunity for practitioners to emphasize the important role that families play in the education of their children,” according to the NCFL.
Over the past several decades, researchers across the country have recognized the strong correlation between parents’ and caregivers’ educational attainment and children’s educational outcomes. We know that families thrive when they learn together.
Source: National Center for Families Learning blog post
Visit the NCFL blog for 30 Days of Families Learning Together and other suggested activities for teachers, parents, and community members.
National Native American Heritage Month
Since 1990, November has been designated as the month to celebrate and raise awareness of the heritage of the first Americans and the powerful contributions they have made to the country’s formation and growth. This month-long observation also provides an opportunity to advocate for policy changes that will address the educational and other inequities that Native American and Alaska Native communities face. As the National Congress of American Indians notes,
Nationwide, Native youth face some of the lowest high school graduation rates, and even fewer enroll in and graduate from college. On average, less than 50 percent of Native students graduate from high school each year in the seven states with the highest percentage of American Indian and Alaska Native students.
Observation of Native American Heritage Month is sponsored by the Library of Congress in collaboration with multiple other federal agencies. Visit these sites for information and resources:
- National Congress of American Indians Native American Heritage Month page
- Library of Congress Native American Heritage Month page
- National Archives Native American Heritage Month page
- National Park Service Native American Heritage Month page
- National Endowment for the Humanities American Indian History and Heritage Teacher’s Guide