Specialized Literacy Professionals is a special interest group devoted to the needs and concerns of those in the ILA with specialized training or responsibilities in reading or literacy.  As defined in the ILA publication Standards for Reading Professionals (2010), these are individuals who are reading specialists, literacy coaches, reading coordinators, classroom teachers of reading, or teacher educators.  This special interest group has been in existence for over a two decades and includes in its membership over 40 ILA Board members, both past and present. Specialized Literacy Professionals publishes a refereed yearbook, conducts research, holds conferences, sponsors workshops at the annual ILA convention; and, most importantly, serves as an advocacy group urging the ILA Board to take stands on important issues.  Some of the issues have included: the plight of reading specialists; campaigning for the ILA Board; redefining the role of reading specialists/coaches; and involving more P-12 educators in leadership roles.  These stands on important issues have elicited many positive comments.

"This group is a beacon of light in the IRA (ILA) organization.  Keep up the good work."
Dr. Arthur Smith State University of New York at Brockport   

 In 2016 we have been successful in providing professional development opportunities
at the following venues:

International Literacy Association Annual Conference in Boston on July 11
featuring an inspirational talk about disciplinary literacies by Douglas Fisher

See PowerPoint presentation here: Douglas Fisher - Disciplinary Literacy
​
Co-sponsored the 2016 Literacy Summit
Celebrating 20 Years of What's Hot!!
in February 12 & 13, 2016 in San Antonio Texas

Click here for more details: 2016 Literacy Summit Program
                                                      2016 Literacy Summit Yearbook