Texas Reading Club
Links to Literacy Organizations
Visit these web sites to learn about organizations throughout the United States that promote reading and literacy for children and adults through many valuable programs.
America Reads Challenge
The America Reads Challenge is a grassroots national campaign that challenges every American to help all children learn to read. Hundreds of organizations are a part of the President's Coalition for the America Reads Challenge. The web site features a wealth of information and links for kids, families, educators, and communities. Also availble here is the READY*SET*READ booklet. Links to reading research and resources may be found on this site.
The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy
The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy was founded in 1989 to establish literacy as a value in every American family. The goal is to help every family in the nation understand that the home is a child's first school, that parents are a child's first teachers, and that reading is the child's first subject; and to break the intergenerational cycle of illiteracy by supporting the development of family literacy programs where parents and children can learn and read together. At this website you will find information about grants, programs that work, publications, and state literacy intitiatives.
The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress
The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress was established to stimulate public interest in books, reading, and libraries and to encourage the study of books and print culture. Within the Library of Congress, the center is a focal point for celebrating the legacy of books and the printed word. Outside the Library, the center works closely with other organizations to foster understanding of the vital role of books, reading, libraries and literacy in society. More than 35 states, including Texas, and the District of Columbia have established statewide book centers that are affiliated with the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.
Children's Book Council
The Children's Book Council (CBC) is a non-profit trade organization that has been dedicated to encouraging literacy and the use and enjoyment of children's books since 1945. A central part of the Children's Book Council's efforts to increase awareness of literacy issues is National Children's Book Week, celebrated in schools, libraries, bookstores, and homes across the country each May. The web site of the Children's Book Council features guides for teachers and librarians, who are often the first people to put a book in the hands of a child, and for parents.
International Reading Association
The International Reading Association, founded in 1956, seeks to promote high levels of literacy for all by improving the quality of reading instruction through studying the reading processes and teaching techniques; serving as a clearinghouse for the dissemination of reading research through conferences, journals, and other publications; and actively encouraging the lifetime reading habit. The International Reading Association provides valuable resources for today's teachers, reading specialists, tutors, researchers, parents, and others concerned about literacy. Topics include balanced reading instruction, tutoring, assessment, classroom discussion strategies, integrated instruction, motivation for reading, and teaching English as a second language.
National Center for Family Literacy
The National Center for Family Literacy is a non-profit organization supporting family literacy services for families across the United States through programming, training, research, advocacy and dissemination. This site highlights family literacy programs, and research that relates to literacy.
National Council of Teachers of English
The National Council of Teachers of English is dedicated to improving the teaching and learning of English and the language arts at all levels of education. This is a searchable web site featuring a vast array of information for teachers of elementary through college age students.
Reading is Fundamental
Founded in 1966, Reading is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF) develops and delivers children's and family literacy programs that help prepare young people for reading and motivate school-age children to read. RIF develops model children's and family literacy programs that schools, libraries, service groups, and other organizations sponsor in their communities. It provides books and other essential literacy resources to children from birth to 11 years at no cost to them or their families. At this web site is information about Reading is Fundamental, Inc., and how the program works cooperatively with organizations throughout the United States.
Texas Center for Reading and Language Arts
The Texas Center for Reading and Language Arts (TCRLA) provides leadership to Texas educators through its partnership with the Texas Education Agency and Region XIII Education Service Center. Its mission is to enhance the knowledge, skills and practices of educators in implementing the statewide curriculum, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). The Center's purpose is to establish a coordinated system of teacher education and professional development in the area of language arts for the state of Texas. The site features links for students, parents and teachers, and communities. Links for parents provide information to improve their child's reading skills, to help develop reading habits, to help with homework, and to assist with library use.
Texas Family Literacy Center
The mission of the Texas Family Literacy Center is to strengthen programs and enhance the knowledge, skills, instructional practices and resources available to family literacy educators throughout Texas. When complete, this site will be searchable and will offer links to other Family Literacy Databases and to the Texas Family Literacy Center (TFLC) Information Clearinghouse.