International Literacy Association


The International Literacy Association, formerly the International Reading Association, is an international global advocacy and member professional organization that was created in 1956 to improve reading instruction, facilitate dialogue about research on reading, and encourage the habit of reading.
The organization, whose headquarters are in Newark, Delaware, United States, has a network of more than 3000,000 literacy educators, researchers, and experts members across 146 countries, and more than 1,250 councils and affiliates worldwide. Membership fees range from US$39 to US$54, plus costs for optional journal subscriptions. Discounted subscription rates are available for residents of developing economies. The current ILA President of the Board is Kathy N. Headley. She was Vice President of the ILA Board of Directors between 2018 and 2019. The incoming President of the ILA Board of Directors, Stephen Peters, will assume the role July 1, 2020.

Publishing

ILA officially ended its book publishing program June 30, 2018. However, the Association continues to publish journals, its membership magazine, literacy briefs, and other literacy-focused texts.
ILA publishes three academic journals:
Reading Online, an e-journal, sponsored by the organization, was retired in 2005.
Literacy Today, ILA’s membership magazine, was published from 1983 to 2011 as a bimonthly membership newspaper. From the 2011 August/September issue forward, the publication was split into two parts: a bimonthly print magazine and an interactive digital e-zine.
ILA regularly publishes position statements and literacy briefs that advance thought leadership for the literacy profession and shaping sound public policy on education.

Standards for the Preparation of Literacy Professionals 2017

ILA champions rigorous research as the foundation for literacy leadership and as such developed research-based standards for preparing and certifying literacy professionals: Standards for the Preparation of Literacy Professionals 2017 .

Annual Conference

ILA hosts an annual professional development conference for educators, from classroom teachers and librarians to specialized literacy professionals, administrators, and principals. The ILA 2020 Conference will be held in Columbus, OH, October 15–18. The theme is Shaping the Future of Literacy: 2020 Vision.
Update: On May 13, 2020, ILA announced its decision to cancel the ILA 2020 Conference amid COVID-19 disruptions. This decision does not affect plans for the ILA 2021 Conference scheduled for October 14–17 in Indianapolis, IN.

Children's Rights to Read

During Children’s Literature Day at the ILA 2018 Conference, then President of the ILA Board Bernadette Dwyer launched ILA’s Children’s Rights to Read campaign, a yearlong advocacy developed to draw attention to the literacy needs of children all around the globe. ILA identifies the 10 inalienable rights as follows:
  1. Children have the basic human right to read.
  2. Children have the right to access texts in print and digital formats.
  3. Children have the right to choose what they read.
  4. Children have the right to read texts that mirror their experiences and languages, provide windows into the lives of others, and open doors into our diverse world.
  5. Children have the right to read for pleasure.
  6. Children have the right to supportive reading environments with knowledgeable literacy partners.
  7. Children have the right to extended time set aside for reading.
  8. Children have the right to share what they learn through reading by collaborating with others locally and globally.
  9. Children have the right to read as a springboard for other forms of communication, such as writing, speaking, and visually representing.
  10. Children have the right to benefit from the financial and material resources of governments, agencies, and organizations that support reading and reading instruction.
ILA created supporting documents that explore why these rights were chosen; how educators, policymakers, and families and caretakers can advocate for these rights; and a resolution to adopt these rights for school and district administrators.

Special Interest Groups

ILA has over 20 special interest groups for members:
ILA offers a number of awards and grants for educators, researchers, and authors.
The ILA has been recognized by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization since 1978; the ILA was reclassified to have Consultative Status with UNESCO in 1996 and continues to hold this status.
Formerly known as the USA TODAY Charitable Foundation, the Foundation for Impact on Literacy and Learning is a 501 that became a supporting organization to ILA in June 2015.