Advocacy is “public support for an idea, plan, or way of doing something.”

Cambridge Dictionary

Advocating for adult learners means engaging actively in promoting access to adult foundational (basic) education, adult secondary education, English as a second/additional language, and career/technical skills development for all adults.

Advocating for adult education means proactively supporting professional development and professional status for teachers, and promoting instructional content that addresses the life situations of adult learners.

NCL brings an asset-oriented approach to all of its advocacy work.

About Advocacy – Explore the roles of advocacy in adult education

Asset-Oriented Advocacy – Frame advocacy in terms of possibilities and positive outcomes

Advocacy Communication – Build advocacy messages that elicit positive, action-oriented responses

National Adult Education and Family Literacy (AEFL) Week – Find ideas for promoting adult education during the third week of September

International Literacy Day – Celebrate and promote adult education in the international context on September 8 each year

Advocacy Resources – Explore resources from NCL and its member organizations

Become an Advocate

NCL encourages everyone who understands the importance of access to foundational education to commit to becoming an advocate. Follow this four-step process to build your skills as an effective advocate for adult learners and adult foundational education.
Step 1. Discover different types of advocacy and choose the one that fits your situation
Step 2. Understand how and why to use an asset-oriented framework
Step 3. Develop a powerful advocacy message
Step 4. Practice!