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Organization Background

The mission of the National Coalition for Literacy (NCL) is to advance adult education, family literacy, and English language acquisition in the U.S. by increasing public awareness for the need to increase funding and programs; affecting public policy to increase funding; and serving as an authoritative resource for the field on national adult education issues.

NCL impacts legislation and public policy by:

  • Working with Congressional staff on the House and Senate committees and individual member offices;
  • Working in coalition with other groups including the Committee for Education Funding;
  • Submitting recommendations for legislative language to appropriate committees;
  • Providing timely policy updates and alerts to inform and engage the adult education community nation-wide in the federal legislative process; and
  • Collaborating with government agencies such as U. S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) and the National Institute for Literacy (NIFL).

NCL promotes research and education for the field by:

  • Hosting the annual Policy Forum focused on an emerging trend in the literacy policy arena; past Forums have focused on Health Literacy (2007) and No Child Left Behind legislation (2006) and issues related to Immigration policy;
  • Articulating and sharing with legislators and U. S. Department of Education staff a strong position in favor of increased funding for adult literacy and English language acquisition research; and
  • Hosting research findings presented by principal investigators at membership meetings.

NCL promotes partnerships and raises awareness of literacy by:

  • Hosting regional conferences with significant financial support from Dollar General that foster a dialogue between national and local literacy leaders, promote advocacy on a local level, and showcase community business partnerships;
  • Hosting panel presentations and workshops at regional and national professional conferences;
  • Collaborating with Verizon Foundation and Georgetown University to present and web cast the annual National Literacy Summit; and
  • Collaborating with The Center for the Book and with support from Dollar General to host the annual Literacy Leadership Awards reception at the Library of Congress.
  • Working with advocacy organizations on issues of mutual interest and concern, such as immigration and health literacy.

Join NCL in its efforts to advocate for adult education, family literacy and English language acquisition. Contact us to:

  • Bring a speaker on adult and family literacy or English as a Second Language to inform your constituents of the consequences of low literacy and opportunities for community collaborations. The Speakers Bureau of experienced NCL Members is coming soon;
  • Identify a partner among our member organizations to establish a local collaboration. See the membership contact information page at http://www.national-coalition-literacy.org/membership.html;
  • Gather literacy facts, statistics and information related to the adult education, family literacy, and English language acquisition population. See the literacy facts page at http://www.national-coalition-literacy.org/litfacts.html; and
  • Support the Coalition to enable us to continue our outreach and advocacy on behalf of adult literacy and English language learners. Become a member of the Coalition or contribute a donation. See http://www.national-coalition-literacy.org/apps.html.
In 1981, 11 national organizations concerned about the low level of adult functional literacy founded the National Coalition for Literacy. The purpose of the all volunteer organization was to increase public awareness of the problem, answer questions and make referrals by establishing a toll free telephone number, and raise funds to support these and related efforts. With its original public awareness objectives accomplished, NCL tripled its membership and grew in scope. The National Coalition for Literacy's Charter was to serve as the umbrella organization for the advancement of literacy in the United States. Since November 2002, the National Coalition for Literacy has made some very significant changes. NCL has moved from an all volunteer organization to an incorporated not-for-profit. In November 2002, NCL member voted unanimously to support a change in organizational status. In March 2003, NCL was incorporated in the District of Columbia. In August 2003, a slate of nominee for the first full board of nine directors was drawn up and approved by the board. In October 2003, the Internal Revenue Service approved NCL's application for tax exempt status.  

NCL Leadership and Staff


The National Coalition for Literacy is managed by a 9 member, volunteer Board of Directors who set direction and strategy for the NCL. Their names and affiliations are listed below, along with the year their board term expires.

  • Eunice (Nickie) N. Askov, Ph.D. (2008)
  • Patricia Bennett (2010) Vice President
  • Sherrie Claiborne (2009) President
  • Dale Lipschultz (2008)
  • Kathy Sikes (2009)
  • Heidi Silver-Pacuilla (2010)
  • Jean Stephens (2008), Treasurer
  • Peter Waite (2010)
  • Sally Waldron (2008), Secretary

NCL Staff


The National Coalition for Literacy maintains a small but effective staff to implement and manage day to day programs and operations. If you have any questions concerning the NCL please feel free to contact our offices.


•Jennifer Maloney, Director, jennifer.maloney@ncldc.net
•Lynn Selmser, Policy Director, lcselmser@cox.net


National Coalition for Literacy
PO Box 11592
Washington, DC 20008

Fax 1.866.738.3757