National Recognition

National Recognition FAQ

• What is ILA National Recognition?

  Excellent reading and literacy instruction can be delivered only by excellent literacy professionals—those who are well prepared and ready to meet the challenges of today's classrooms and to help all students become lifelong literacy learners.

  That's why the International Literacy Association (ILA) strongly advocates for outstanding teacher education and awards National Recognition and National Recognition With Distinction to exemplary literacy professional preparation programs that are aligned to ILA's Standards for the Preparation of Literacy Professionals, 2017 Edition.

• How do I apply for ILA National Recognition?

  Request an information packet that gives an overview of the program with timelines and fees. You are under no obligation to begin the application process until you submit the application form, at which time ILA will remit an invoice for the application fee.

  Guidelines and templates for the preparation of the ILA National Recognition self-study will be sent upon receipt of the application. For more information, please email ilanationalrecognition@reading.org.

• What are the benefits of my institution earning ILA National Recognition?

  Earning ILA National Recognition demonstrates adherence to ILA's rigorous standards outlining the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for effective educational practice. You can use this designation to

  • Market your program to potential students
  • Validate your status as an essential program in the university setting and assist in obtaining new resources from your university/college
  • Bolster grant applications to seek funding from foundations or state/federal governments

  ILA National Recognition With Distinction, the next stage of the program, is the highest institutional honor awarded by ILA and demonstrates that an institution's reading/literacy specialist program or elementary/intermediate classroom teacher program exceeds ILA's high standards for excellence. ILA will recognize programs that have earned this seal of approval by

  • Featuring the institution and a link to its program's website on the ILA National Recognition Recipients webpage
  • Acknowledging the institution's receipt of the designation in an ILA-issued press release
  • Sharing the institution's recognition on ILA's social media channels
  • Giving institution faculty the opportunity to present at a session at ILA's annual conference

• What are the stages of ILA National Recognition?

  The first stage, ILA National Recognition, shows that an institution's program is aligned to ILA's Standards for the Preparation of Literacy Professionals, 2017 Edition and that its teacher candidates are fully prepared to enter the profession. The second stage, ILA National Recognition With Distinction, is the highest honor a literacy professional preparatory program can earn from ILA.

  Stage I: National Recognition
  Institutions submit a self-study that will be evaluated by a team of ILA-trained reviewers. Specific attention will be paid to how programs align with elements and rubrics identified in the ILA standards. If the self-study garners distinguished results and approval, the institution will receive ILA National Recognition.

  Stage II: National Recognition With Distinction
  After an institution has earned ILA National Recognition, and if the program garnered distinguished ratings and approval, the institution may be recommended for a site visit to your institution. During the site visit, a reviewer team will assess the program through the dual lens of the ILA standards and the self-study and conduct interviews with faculty, administrators, and current and former students. If the program obtains an outstanding site visit review, the institution will receive ILA National Recognition With Distinction.

• Who should apply for ILA National Recognition?

  Institutions that offer preparation programs for reading/literacy specialists or elementary/intermediate classroom teachers may apply and be evaluated for alignment to ILA's Standards for the Preparation of Literacy Professionals, 2017 Edition.

• What resources are available to help me determine if I should apply?

  Please see the following resources:

  • Standards for the Preparation of Literacy Professionals
  • Standards Rubric

• What does the evaluation process entail?

  Once the institution has submitted the self-study, a team of ILA-trained reviewers will conduct the review process to determine the extent to which the program aligns to the ILA National Recognition requirements. This review period will take approximately thirty (30) days to complete.

• Who reviews ILA National Recognition reports, and how does one apply to become a reviewer?

  A team of ILA-trained reviewers evaluates the reports to determine the extent to which the program aligns with ILA National Recognition requirements. An audit team will analyze the review team's report before any recommendations are made.

  Learn more about becoming a reviewer and how to apply on the Program Reviewer page.

• How long will the ILA National Recognition achievement be awarded for?

  ILA National Recognition is awarded for a period of five (5) years. After the initial term expires, the program is eligible for renewal.

• What does the renewal process entail?

  ILA National Recognition is awarded for five (5) years and must be renewed after that period. The ILA National Recognition renewal process consists of a self-study review and renewal fee payment.

  If the institution wishes to renew ILA National Recognition With Distinction, a site visit to your institution (including a site visit fee) is required before the renewal process is complete.

• What is the timeline for this process?

  View the ILA National Recognition timeline.

• What is the fee schedule?

  View the ILA National Recognition fee schedule.

• Have any institutions received ILA National Recognition and/or ILA National Recognition With Distinction?

  Yes. Recipients of these honors can be found here.

• What support is available for programs seeking ILA National Recognition?

  ILA offers free resources, such as an orientation/info session for self-study lead writers (Stage I), and schools seeking help in program development and writing can add consultant services.