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. 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. The current ILA President of the Board is J. Helen Perkins.

Publishing

ILA officially ended its book publishing program on June 30, 2018. However, the organization continues to publish three peer-reviewed academic journals: Reading Online, an e-journal, sponsored by the organization, was retired in 2005. Literacy Today (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).

Special Interest Groups

ILA offers special interest groups for members:

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. Grants provide the opportunity for acclaimed field members to explore research areas in reading and literacy. Awards provide recognition to renowned authors, teachers, researchers, librarians, programs, etc. Applications are considered yearly by committees of member volunteers.

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.