National Literacy Month

September is recognized nationally each year as National Literacy Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about literacy's role in personal growth, economic opportunity, and community well-being. The observance spans early childhood, K-12, and adult literacy, and it culminates around International Literacy Day, observed globally on September 8. In 2025, the U.S. Senate formally designated September as National Literacy Month through S.Res.394, calling on the federal government, states, localities, schools, libraries, nonprofits, businesses, and the public to mark the month with appropriate programs and activities.

Why Literacy Month Matters

Literacy is foundational to nearly every measure of individual and community well-being — employment, health, civic participation, and economic mobility. The scale of the challenge is significant:

National data cited in the 2025 Senate resolution estimate that roughly 28% of U.S. adults (about 59 million people) perform at the lowest measured literacy proficiency level, based on the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC).
This represents a sharp increase from an estimated 48 million adults at the lowest proficiency level in the previous survey cycle (2014), signaling a worsening trend rather than an improving one.
Adults with low literacy skills are less likely to graduate high school or maintain steady employment, and are statistically more likely to experience poverty or incarceration.
Despite this need, current adult education programs reach less than 10% of adults who could benefit from services — though among those enrolled, close to half improve their skills in a given year.
Globally, UNESCO estimates that hundreds of millions of youth and adults still lack basic literacy skills, with women disproportionately affected.

For organizations like community-based adult learning programs, these statistics underscore both the urgency of the work and the opportunity that increased public and funder attention during Literacy Month can bring.

Key Dates in 2026

Date

Observance

September 1–30, 2026

National Literacy Month

September 8, 2026

International Literacy Day (UNESCO), themed around literacy in a world in transition — including climate literacy, digital inclusion, and lifelong learning

September 8–9, 2026

UNESCO's global International Literacy Day event, hosted in Mexico with the Government of Mexico, including the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes ceremony

(Note: National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, a related observance led by the National Coalition for Literacy, typically falls in September as well — check NCL's site for exact 2026 dates.)

How the Month Is Typically Recognized

Libraries and schools host read-alouds, book drives, and e-book/digital literacy sign-up events for families.
Adult education and workforce programs promote enrollment, run open houses, and highlight learner success stories to build public support.
Nonprofits and coalitions (e.g., ProLiteracy, the National Coalition for Literacy) release annual statistical reports, host webinars, and provide social media toolkits for advocacy.
Policymakers and legislators use the month to spotlight literacy legislation and funding needs, as seen with the Senate's "Read to Rise" resolution effort.
Employers and community organizations sponsor volunteer tutoring drives, since literacy programs rely heavily on volunteer instructors.

Ideas for Local Recognition (Useful for Program Outreach or Grant Narratives)

Host an open house or "literacy showcase" featuring learner testimonials.
Partner with a local library for a joint event tied to International Literacy Day (Sept. 8).
Launch a volunteer tutor recruitment campaign timed to the month.
Share data on local literacy needs alongside national statistics to strengthen community and funder engagement.
Use the National Coalition for Literacy's Adult Education & Family Literacy Week social media toolkit to extend reach.

Additional Resources

National & Policy

Adult Literacy Data & Advocacy

Family & Youth Literacy

Organizations to Explore for Partnerships or Volunteer Networks

Jamaica Plain Community Centers

ADULT LEARNING PROGRAM