International Literacy Day

International Literacy Day, traditionally observed annually on September 8, focuses attention on worldwide literacy needs. More than 780 million of the world’s adults (nearly two-thirds of whom are women) do not know how to read or write, and between 94 and 115 million children lack access to education.

In past years IRA councils and individual members have found a variety of ways to observe International Literacy Day, from organizing themed readings in local schools and libraries to supporting national and international literacy programs. All year round, councils are invited to contact their local Rotary clubs to explore ways they can work together in support of literacy. See the Rotary-IRA Special Interest Group page for ideas on literacy projects.

IRA/Rotary/Pearson Foundation $2500 Literacy Award

Brochures and Fact Sheets

• ILD Brochure
• ILD Fact Sheet
• Literacy Fact Sheet
• Literacy and Health Fact Sheet

Idea Starters

• Idea Starters
• Highlights of IRA–Rotary Literacy Projects

Awards and Certificates

• Certificate of Participation

• Vicki Risko, President IRA: Making Sense of Reading Teacher Education Research and Prospects for Future Research

• Richard Carson, Rotary International

• Peggy McCardle, NICHD
• Karen Douglas, IES/National Center for Education Research
• Matt Tosiello, Agnes Meyer Teacher of the Year
• Carole Lockwood, Randolph Elementary (Arlington, VA) Lead Teacher for Reading

• Lisa Dieker and Jackie Rodriguez: The Next Generation of Readers, Teachers, and Learners
• Avatar Teaching Demonstration: IRA’s 2011 International Literacy Day featured a TeachME Lab Avatar Presentation by Lisa Dieker and Jackie Rodriguez from the University of Central Florida (UCF). This program teaches pre-service teachers how to teach a class of diverse students. The computer-generated students are acted in real time by a professional actor with education and psychology experience. This process allows pre-service teachers to experiment—and make mistakes—before being responsible for an actual child’s learning.

• Join Webinar: Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 8:00 p.m. EST, 20 minute presentation, Q&A. Sign up here for IRA’s policy update Webinar with Rich Long and Vicki Risko.