Literacy Now

In the Philippines, the ability to read and write is a priority, so any effort to promote literacy by the government, organizations, or even private individuals is celebrated.

“It is through literacy that one is empowered to interact in his community and realizes his worth, what he can do and eventually make him do things that contribute in sustainable development of his society,” said Department of Education’s (DepEd) Literacy Coordinating Council OIC Dina Ocampo in a speech during the 2014 National Literacy Conference and Awards.

That “community” progressively expanded, based on the country’s literacy data collected through the national census. Results from the National Statistics Office’s 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH) show that 97.5% of the 71.5 million individuals who are 10 years old and older were literate or could read and write—an increase from the 2000 CPH record of 92.3%.

Prior to World War I, the literacy rate in the Philippines was at a dismal 20%. But it was one of the countries that experienced rapid school expansion in the late 1930s, according to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) 2006 Education for All Global Monitoring Report, and, as a result, literacy rates rose to the middle range during the 1950s (35%–75%). UNESCO has said literacy transitions are linked to educational expansion.

The same findings echoed the observations of Dr. Michael Alba, a research fellow and professor at De La Salle University-Manila. In his journal article, “Estimating Literacy Rate: A Study Relating Literacy Rate With Combined Gross Elementary and Secondary Schools Enrollment Rate,” he attributes the growth of literacy rates in the Philippines to the formalization of the education system there and its success in achieving its basic objective: to prioritize literacy skills for students.

From the top

Shifts in the country’s education system were rooted in structural changes and policymaking bodies throughout history.

The creation of regulation surrounding education took some 70 years to evolve and 1960 and 1970 literacy data did not include education offered outside regular classrooms, including community learning centers and public halls, for out-of-school youths, dropouts, and differently abled (documented as “nonformal education”). The establishment of the National Manpower and Youth Council, the agency tracking nonformal education, Alba said, made a huge impact on the 1980 literacy rate improvement to 91.79%, according to UNESCO figures.

For John Arnold S. Siena, a director for the National Educators Academy of the Philippines, part of DepEd, the high literacy rate in the country and the 95.24% school participation of children in elementary schooling were achieved through the campaign of the government, particularly DepEd, to bring more school-age children to school. He said initiatives that focused on this goal include the following:

• The Alternative Learning System, which provides opportunity for out-of-school youths to use the education services of DepEd and take the accreditation and equivalency test, paving the way for further education

• Open high school and night school opportunities

• Establishment of schools in areas without schools

• The Kindergarten Law, which makes attending kindergarten a requirement

Literacy-specific initiatives include the following:

• Every Child A Reader Program, which mandates all schools, school divisions, and regions to develop interventions addressing reading in schools based on certain assessment techniques such as the Philippine Informal Reading Inventory (Phil-IRI)

• The Library Hub, established nationwide, in which a vast collection of book titles appropriate for children of various ages is located and in which the books are circulated in schools and made part of the learning competencies of the children

• A focus in K–3 curriculum on language development, including reading

• The mother tongue–based multilingual education as part of the K–12 program (under this program, teachers are trained to teach mother tongue competencies to prepare for learning of a second language)

• Journalism program RA 7079, which offers teacher and student training in journalism

• Activities throughout the year, including Book Week and National Reading Month

A shared goal

By 2000, organizations inside and outside of the Philippines measured youth literacy rates between 95% and 96.6%.

The Philippines committed to Education for All (EFA) 2015 Goals at the World Education Forum in Dakar, resulting in the Philippine EFA 2015 National Action Plan, “Functionally Literate Filipinos: An Educated Nation.” This plan focuses on achieving wider access to education and life skills programs, a 50% improvement in levels of adult literacy (age 15 and older), and remarkable learning outcomes in literacy, numeracy, and essential life skills.

Siena said he provides continuous support to teachers and other personnel critical to the reading program in schools. For example, the DepEd provides training, support materials, and guidelines on how to operationalize early literacy programs.

DepEd is currently finalizing the policy on Learning Action Cell implementation and strengthening. According to Siena, this is envisioned as “a sustainable and cost-effective means of supporting teacher development.” He added that Learning Action Cells are group-based intervention toward improving teaching practice, and that the reading program, especially in the K–3 stage, will benefit substantially from the intervention.

“The Department of Education also seeks to develop more reading experts from the ranks of teachers through scholarships, long-term trainings, locally available or abroad, to help strengthen the reading programs,” Siena said.

But education reforms and literacy projects cannot be in the hands of DepEd alone. Schools implement their own strategies to contribute to literacy development, like the Reading Literacy Extension Program (RELP) of the University of Northern Philippines (UNP) in Tamag, Vigan.

The effectiveness of RELP, as assessed by Ocarna Figuerres, provided “remarkable” improvement, noting in particular the popularity of the program and the growth of subsequent local literacy programs.

Book drives initiated by the private sector are also popular in the Philippines, such as the Philippine Toy Library, which collects books, board games, and even musical instruments; Sa Aklat Sisikat Foundation (With Books, One Will Be Famous); and Books for a Cause, a movement that distributes books to schools located in remote areas.

The teacher’s role

“One more notable aspect about the project is that the lessons were tested through demonstration lessons in the different schools of Naga City and were revised to incorporate the collective suggestions and feedback of teachers,” says Anna Bella F. Abellera, an English teacher at Naga Central School I. “This project is really a huge collaborative effort of teachers and the city officials and community as well.”

Abellera believes that people should never give up on guiding and inspiring children in achieving literacy.

“It may be redundant to say, but I always ask myself, ‘How many lives did I touch lately?’ Or ‘How many did I inspire today?’”

Len Cristobal is a freelance writer, blogger, and editor from the Philippines.

The International Literacy Association (ILA) recently announced that USA Today Charitable Foundation (USATCF) has joined ILA to further support the cause of eradicating illiteracy around the world. The foundation will operate under the ILA umbrella organization as a separate, supporting foundation with its own board of directors.

The foundation, which is now known as the Foundation for Impact on Literacy and Learning, is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides educational programs for elementary, secondary schools, community colleges, clubs, and after-school activities and programs in specific disciplines or curriculum areas.

“By joining ILA, the foundation provides yet one more engine in our pool of resources to
support our work to advance literacy for all through our global network of more than 300,000 literacy practitioners in 75 countries,” said Marcie Craig Post, ILA’s executive director. “We see this as an adoption of a like-minded, like-missioned group that shares a similar commitment to literacy and education efforts.”

Post said that, for ILA’s membership base, the foundation’s activities will complement members’ efforts on the ground and is another step forward in the organization’s journey as ILA.  

There will be no change in ILA’s operations or structure; it assumes oversight and fiduciary responsibility for the foundation. The foundation will have its own board and brings a donor base and resources to conduct projects and offset any overhead expenses. The foundation’s independent board of directors will include previous members of the USATCF board, Akin Harrison, vice president, associate general counsel and secretary of TEGNA (formerly Gannett), and Ross Schaufelberger, former executive vice president and chief operations officer for USA Today Sports Media Group. Diane Barrett, retired vice president of USA Today/Gannett Publishing Services and USATCF’s former president and board chair, will serve as the ex-officio voting executive director. Post will serve as board chair and additional board members will be recruited.

The USATCF board sought out ILA as a potential partner to enable the foundation to continue work supporting and building alliances that enhance innovative, instructional programs and community outreach. Long affiliated with USA Today newspaper and its parent company Gannett, a recent corporate reorganization prompted the foundation’s search for a new supporting partner.

“The USA Today Charitable Foundation’s vision has been to engage, enlighten and inspire today's students and educators by opening their classrooms to the real world,” Barrett said. “Our donors represent global and national companies and not-for-profit organizations who have collaborated with us for over a decade to bring exceptional initiatives and resources to schools in the United States. We are eager to grow the reach of our work through our affiliation with ILA.”

Additional questions about the Foundation for Impact on Literacy and Learning can be sent to customerservice@reading.org.

The International Literacy Association (ILA) is dedicated to providing our members with the resources and expertise to inspire their students and each other in the charge for literacy. And it is in seeing the fruits of our members’ efforts that we, too, are inspired. Administrators and advocates, authors and librarians—their accomplishments have not gone unnoticed.

There are so many, we couldn’t fit them all in Literacy Today, so we offer our congratulations here. From teaching awards, to published works, to career milestones, we hope these accomplishments will inspire you, too.

Awards

Desiree Alexander, a media specialist at Zachary Career and Technical Center in Louisiana, received the 2015 School Library Media Specialist Award from the Louisiana Association of School Librarians. Alexander also facilitates distance learning and career education.

Kathleen Davin, a reading specialist at Key Elementary School in Virginia, was awarded an international literacy scholarship from the Virginia State Reading Association. Davin is the project leader of a literacy project in Guatemala cosponsored by the Greater Washington Reading Council.

Stephanie Grote-Garcia, assistant professor at the University of the Incarnate Word and board member of ILA’s Specialized Literacy Professionals SIG, won the Jack Cassidy Distinguished Service Award. This award is given annually by the Texas Association for Literacy Education (TALE), a state affiliate of ILA.

Lindsey Parker, of North DeSoto Elementary in Louisiana, received a $25,000 Milken Educator Award. A former ELA teacher, Parker serves as a master teacher for the school’s Teacher Advancement Program, in which she conducts weekly professional development meetings and practices team teaching. Parker’s activities also include creating guidebooks and assessments for ELA standards and serving as a teacher leader and advisor for the Louisiana Department of Education.

Vickie Plant, a kindergarten teacher at Golson Elementary School in Florida, was recognized with a Governor’s Shine Award, an honor reserved for those who display outstanding commitment to their students. Along with ILA membership, Plant is a member of the Florida Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Delise Hall Sanders was inducted into the Society of the Golden Key at the University of West Alabama, the highest honor given to a UWA graduate. Sanders retired in 2014 after teaching in the Sumner County School System in Tennessee for 18 years, though her teaching career spanned 40 years, including time spent in leadership positions in the North Central Reading Association and the Tennessee Reading Association.

Books

David L. Harrison, Poet Laureate of Drury University in Missouri and poet/author of 90 books for young people and classroom teachers, wrote “Poetry, the Write Thing to Do” as Chapter 1 in ILA’s new release, Children’s Literature in the Reading Program: Engaging Young Readers in the 21st Century (4th ed.).

Judy Reinhartz, science literacy specialist, professor emerita, professional development consultant, and author, released her new publication, Growing Language Through Science: Strategies That Work, Grades K–5 (Corwin). The book offers a model for contextualizing language and promoting academic success for all students, particularly English learners.

Vivian Yenika-Agbaw, a professor in the department of Curriculum and Instruction at Penn State, and Teresa Sychterz, elementary education professor at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania, released their coedited book, Adolescents Rewrite Their Worlds: Using Literature to Illustrate Writing Forms (Rowman & Littlefield). The book offers ways to engage middle grades students to read and write culturally authentic texts and to participate in 21st-century literacies.

Career News

Linda Goewey was named the new superintendent of the Hudson Falls Central School District in New York, effective July 1. She is currently serving as assistant superintendent of instruction and personnel at the Central Square Central School District.

Anne-Marie Harrison, of the Provo City School District in Utah, was named the district’s new executive director of teaching and learning. Harrison’s career includes time spent as an elementary school teacher, district literacy specialist, school improvement specialist, and principal. She most recently served as director of literacy and instruction for the Provo district.

Here’s what we know: there’s a direct correlation between illiteracy and poverty, crime, and even early mortality.

We also know that those who are literate are more likely to vote, be involved in their communities, and seek medical help for themselves and their families.

Yet nearly 800 million people worldwide cannot read or write; 126 million of those are children. And roughly 12% of the world’s population is considered functionally illiterate, with only basic or below-basic literacy levels in their native languages.

For the last 60 years, the International Literacy Association has worked to bring together a strong network of members, partners, and affiliates around the world dedicated to advancing literacy. It is because of the support of this network that we have been able to improve literacy practices for thousands of educators, disseminate research that has helped to form the backbone of effective literacy instruction, and provide literacy professionals with countless platforms to learn and exchange ideas and experiences.

We’ve always believed that together we can achieve more.

It has never been more important for us to join forces behind the critical cause of literacy. On April 14, we brought together literacy leaders across sectors for just that reason, and our mission continues.

Today, ILA launches a global campaign using the hashtag #800Mil2Nil to raise awareness around the issue and what is possible when we come together to advance literacy.

“As the literacy landscape evolves, if we want to create sustainable change, our efforts must also adapt,” says Marcie Craig Post, ILA Executive Director. “That is why I am eager to launch this important first step of what will be an ongoing campaign to inspire those inside and outside the literacy community to join us in advancing literacy for all.”

To show your support, join the #800Mil2Nil conversation and share your thoughts and ideas on why literacy matters, how we can come together to address the issue, and what you are doing to take illiteracy from #800Mil2Nil.

In addition to spreading the word, you can make a monetary contribution to the cause with your smartphone. Simply text “LITERACY” to 91999. After sending the text message, you’ll receive a link to a secure webpage, where you can make a donation in the amount of your choosing.

Proceeds will support the development of ILA programs and initiatives, including those that raise awareness of global literacy issues, provide educators with the resources they need, and galvanize leaders from every sector to fight illiteracy and take #800Mil2Nil.

“We know the challenge ahead of us is great. It’s one we will champion, but we cannot do it alone,” said Stephen Sye, ILA Associate Executive Director. “We need the support of educators, parents, communities, government, and business to advance literacy. I’m confident we can, but it will take a collective effort to get there.”

Over the coming months, you will hear more about how you can contribute to taking illiteracy from #800Mil2Nil. Your support is vital to this critical effort. Help us spread the #800Mil2Nil message and together, we can create the Age of Literacy—one in which each of us works to advance literacy for all. 

How fragile we are, how short our time.

Sunday night I received the sad news that Kent Williamson, emeritus Executive Director of the National Council of Teachers of English, has died, succumbing to a long battle with a serious illness. He had been struggling with it for quite some time, yet he continued to serve NCTE until his worsening condition forced him to step aside.

I first met Kent about 10 years ago shortly after coming to the International Reading Association. Alan Farstrup, our former Executive Director, assigned me to work on ReadWriteThink, the online resource which is jointly produced by ILA and NCTE. In that capacity I began a long collaboration and friendship with Kent.

A Team of Colleagues

As the website’s corporate grantors changed, Kent and I worked to secure continued funding and to negotiate annual statements of work and intellectual property rights. We had hundreds of discussions on these matters, and we were joined on most occasions by other members of our staffs.

We made a great team. On our side, Bridget Hilferty, Kaylee Olney, Mara Gorman, Anne Fullerton, Wes Ford, Becky Fetterolf, and Shannon Fortner all played important roles on RWT. In NCTE’s lineup, Kent was joined by Lisa Fink, Sharon Roth, Kurt Austin, Scott Filkins, Traci Gardner, Christy Simon, and others. Collectively we acquired and posted peer-reviewed lesson plans, developed student interactives, and took the original site to a new version.

Over the years we all got to know each other very well and looked forward to regular get-togethers at our annual conferences. Our custom was to meet up after our evening RWT board meetings concluded. We’d talk about work, our kids, and just about everything in between. I can still see us all laughing together, Kent’s eyes twinkling as he graced us with his wit and charm, which he possessed in ample store.

Backchannel Chats

The past decade has been a time of great challenge for nonprofits. As our respective managements sought to chart a course through rough seas, Kent and I had many backchannel chats in which we sought each other’s counsel, brainstormed strategies, offered suggestions, and shared thoughts on a host of pressing issues including membership, marketing, communications, technology, and best practices.

If one of us had an open position to fill, or knew of some accomplished executive or literacy professional who was looking for association work, we would always let the other know. I distinctly remember a conversation we once had about the decline in sales revenues of professional associations. “You know what,” he said to me, “if this is the new normal, IT’S SCARY.” It’s a line I have quoted many times.

His Gift of Grace

Kent was a person who tackled things head on. What’s more, he did it with grace, which in my view is among the rarest of gifts. If hard decisions were called for, he made them and took the burden of it on himself. He defused tension with humor. He had a diplomat’s insight into the handling of controversies and knew how to come back hard at something without rancor, preserving comity in disagreement. 

Kent relished the vision of what collaborative action might achieve. You could sense this in his enthusiasm for things like the Pathways project and the National Center for Literacy Education. I remember leaving a meeting in Washington, D.C. together when he asked me if I had any time left before I had to catch my train. I did and off we went to a little coffee shop. There, with keen excitement, he told me all about his plans for NCLE. And here sadness mixes with memory.

I went down to Washington last year to attend a NCLE meeting that Kent was coming to. By that time he had had a great deal of treatment, and was looking forward to getting about again. I so looked forward to seeing him and was quietly crushed when Barbara Cambridge, NCTE’s Interim Executive Director, broke the news that Kent’s doctor would not clear him to get on an airplane. True to form, Kent sent personal greetings in a cordial email. There it was again, as it was to the last—pure grace. I think it was from that moment on that I knew he was in very dire straits.

Let all of us at ILA pause today and in a moment of quiet reflection rejoice that such a wonderful person lent the best of what he had to give to a cause as important as ours, to spreading literacy.

Dan Mangan (dmangan@/) is the Director of Public Affairs at the international Literacy Association. Previously, he was ILA’s Strategic Communications Director and Publications Director and launched the original Reading Today magazine and Reading Today Online (now Literacy Daily). He is a veteran of commercial publishing, a former journalist, and an attorney.