International Literacy Association

The International Literacy Association (ILA), formerly the International Reading Association (IRA), 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 across the globe.

International Literacy Association
Formation1956
PurposeLiteracy
HeadquartersUnited States Newark, Delaware, United States
Region served
International
President
Dr. Kenneth Kunz
Websitewww.literacyworldwide.org

The organization is headquartered in Newark, Delaware, United States, with a network of more than 300,000 literacy educators, researchers, and experts across 128 countries,[1] and more than 1,250 councils and affiliates worldwide. The current ILA President of the Board is Dr. Kenneth Kunz.

Publishing

ILA officially ended its book publishing program on June 30, 2018. However, the Association continues to publish journals, its membership magazine, and other literacy-focused texts.

ILA publishes three academic journals:

Reading Online, an e-journal, sponsored by the organization, was retired in 2005.[2]

Literacy Today[3] (formerly titled Reading 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. Literacy Today is currently an online-only quarterly magazine.

Standards for the Preparation of Literacy Professionals, 2017 Edition

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 Edition (ILA Standards).[4]

Special Interest Groups

ILA has over 20 special interest groups for members:[5]

  • Adolescent Literacy Interest Group of ILA
  • Canadian SIG on Literacy
  • Children's Literature and Reading
  • Concern for Affect in Reading Education (CARE)
  • Content Area Reading
  • Disabled Reader Special Interest Group (DRSIG)
  • District Literacy Leadership (DiLL)
  • Foundation Skills
  • ILARI Partnerships
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • Language Experience Approach (LESIG)
  • Leadership Educ. & Dev. for Educators in Reading (LEADER)
  • Literacy and Social Responsibility
  • Literacy Development in Young Children (LDYC)
  • Mastery Learning
  • Organization of Teacher Educators in Literacy (OTEL)
  • Professors of Literacy and Teacher Education (PLTE)
  • Readability
  • Reading for Gifted and Creative Students
  • Technology in Literacy Education (TILE)

Honor Society

ILA sponsors the honor society Alpha Upsilon Alpha.

Awards and Grants

ILA offers a number of awards and grants for educators, researchers, and authors.[6]

For teachers:

  • Jerry Johns Outstanding Teacher Educator in Reading Award
  • William S. Gray Citation of Merit

For graduate students:

  • Helen M. Robinson Grant
  • Jeanne S. Chall Research Fellowship
  • Steven A. Stahl Research Grant

For researchers:

  • Dina Feitelson Research Award
  • William S. Gray Citation of Merit

Others:

  • Advocacy Award
  • Award of Excellence
  • Celebrate Literacy Award
  • Children and Young Adult Book Awards
  • Diane Lapp & James Flood Professional Collaborator Award
  • Exemplary Reading Program Award
  • Honor Award
  • Local Chapter Community Service Award
  • Timothy & Cynthia Shanahan Outstanding Dissertation Award.

Affiliations

ILA has been recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) since 1978; ILA was reclassified to have Consultative Status with UNESCO in 1996 and continues to hold this status.[7]

References
  1. "About Us & Mission | International Literacy Association". www.literacyworldwide.org. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  2. "Reading Online". Reading Online. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  3. "Literacy Today, May/June 2019". literacyworldwide.org. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  4. "Standards for the Preparation of Literacy Professionals, 2017 Edition". literacyworldwide.org. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  5. "Special Interest Groups | International Literacy Association". www.literacyworldwide.org. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  6. "Awards & Grants | International Literacy Association". literacyworldwide.org. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  7. "/UNESCO". ngo-db.unesco.org. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
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