The Hawai‘i State Literacy Coalition is a coalition of literacy leaders, representing the public and private sector and organizations across all age groups, who are committed to ensure all learners have access to opportunities to become literate and be contributing members of society. The members are represented by community organizations, early childhood programs, K-12 system, and higher education institution.
Definition of Literacy
The Coalition embraces the International Literacy Association’s definition of literacy. Literacy is “the ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, compute, and communicate using visual, audible, and digital materials across disciplines and in any context.”
Mission
The Coalition advocates and promotes promising and proven literacy practices for all of Hawaii’s people in order to advance equity and access to opportunities and full engagement in society.
Vision
Lifelong Literacy For All.
‘Ike i ke au nui, me ke au iki. “Know the big currents and the little currents.” In literacy, we must keep our eyes simultaneously on the large goal of ensuring all individuals are empowered to fully participate (big currents) and contribute to their communities as well as on the literacy building blocks (little currents) that make this possible.
Definition of Literacy
The Coalition embraces the International Literacy Association’s definition of literacy. Literacy is “the ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, compute, and communicate using visual, audible, and digital materials across disciplines and in any context.”
Hawai‘i State Literacy Plan
Belief Statements of the Coalition
By lifting up the Hawai‘i State Literacy Plan as a shared guide, the Coalition believes that:
- Literacy is the shared kuleana of all stakeholders (e.g., educators, families, businesses, community partners, philanthropic organizations).
- Literacy empowers individuals and society, as a whole, regardless of cultural background and socioeconomic status.
- Literacy impacts one’s quality of life – self-esteem, personal health, relationship, and life expectancy.
- Literacy instruction that is developmentally appropriate and culturally sustaining can lead to greater awareness of issues, including those of access and equity, and therefore to greater engagement in democracy in general.
Key Areas of Work
- Advocacy and Policy Development – Provide a unified voice to promote effective and equitable literacy practices across the state.
- Capacity Building – Provide professional learning opportunities, share resources, and support programs and schools to foster equity in literacy for all individuals.
- Communication – Create unified messaging and communication campaigns to increase support for literacy.
Hawai‘i State Literacy Coalition Working Group
Who We Are
A coalition of literacy leaders, representing the public and private sector and organizations across all age groups, who are committed to ensure all learners have access to opportunities to become literate and be contributing members of society. Members are represented by:
- Community – Hawai‘i Community Foundation, Hawai‘i Literacy, Hawai‘i State Public Library System, REL Pacific at McREL International, Read To Me International, and The Learning Coalition
- Early Childhood – Executive Office on Early Learning, Head Start Collaboration Office, and University of Hawai‘i Children’s Center
- K-12 (HIDOE) – Complex Areas, McKinley Community School for Adults, Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design, Office of Hawaiian Education, Office of Student Support Services, and Office of Talent Management
- Higher-Education – University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Kilohana and University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, College of Education
Call To Action
- Join the coalition, contact us.
- Read Aloud to a child!
- Read the Hawai‘i State Literacy Plan!
- Tap a literacy partner to support literacy in your community.
- Get a library card!
- Host and fund literacy opportunities in your community!
- Support your local literacy events!