Advocacy

Teachers Resources Results

For the International Reading Association, this is not just a slogan but the framework of a dynamic advocacy program that promotes the professionalism of teachers and the rights of learners.

Teachers

The success of any education reform effort, large or small, depends on having an outstanding teacher in every classroom. And yet, too often teachers are left out of the discussion about what works best for students.

IRA advocates for recognition of the expert knowledge teachers at all levels, from preschool through university, bring to discussions of education reform. IRA members are the outstanding teachers needed to shape reform—dedicated professionals, committed to helping all learners achieve success. As a group and individually, we are advocates for the children, youth, and adults in our classes and are leaders in working toward positive change.

To make outstanding teaching a reality, we support excellence in teacher preparation and career-long professional development—and we stand behind a clear definition of what excellence entails in such publications as Standards for Reading Professionals. Visit this website’s Focus on Teacher Education for position statements, recommended reading, and other materials on this topic.

Want to take a stand on the literacy issues that matter most to you? Why not

Become informed

Join in

Take action

Stay informed about U.S. federal education policy with these resources:

Focus on NCLB and U.S. education policy

Legislative updates

Background resources

L.A.T. advisory

A great new resource for people who want to help shape U.S. and local education policy:

Download a free copy of IRA’s Advocacy Manual

Learn how to lobby your Congressional representatives on key education issues -- attend the annual Government Relations Workshop:

Read about the most recent Government Relations Workshop event

Resources

Excellent teachers need excellent tools to foster both their students’ and their own learning. In position statements such as Integrating Literacy and Technology in the Curriculum and Providing Books for Classroom and School Libraries, IRA makes a passionate case for the need to provide learners with high-quality instructional materials. The dozens of peer-reviewed lesson plans from the ReadWriteThink project and the teaching ideas provided in countless Association publications offer research-based ideas for practical application.

Teachers can also rely on the Association’s top-quality resources to contribute to their professional growth. From peer-reviewed publications to professional conferences to online resources, IRA provides the tools teachers need to become knowledgeable advocates for themselves and their students.

Results

The Association’s position statement Making a Difference Means Making It Different lists ten rights of every literacy learner. Excellent teachers with access to excellent tools create the learning opportunities and environments that will allow these rights to become a reality.

But achieving these results takes effort. Reading professionals need to become informed, join in, and take action—and help make the goal of literacy for all a reality.