Program

Action Plan

An alarming 81 percent of Hispanics, 71 percent of African Americans, 44 percent of Whites and 23 percent of Asians among our nation's 4th grade students are unable to read at grade level.

Based on the research performed by the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of North Texas, an action plan has been developed by the NTFF to enhance the roles and responsibilities of all literacy providers and address their needs and create a provider network.

This action plan called for the two important aspects:

1. Creation of a literacy summit to promote the exchange between the various literacy providers in the DFW area
2. The creation of a literacy directory to act as repository to the public of literacy efforts in the DFW area

The regional literacy summit was held in November 2006 and the D/FW Literacy Directory was completed and distributed to all literacy providers in the DFW Metroplex. A current online version is available on the NTFF website.

The next step, which we are currently working on, is to assign leaders from each focus area, who will then seek to educate and set priorities that will help improve literacy within the three areas of focus. In addition, the leaders will create other environments for literacy service providers to network in creative forums.

Research

Two research studies, conducted by the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of North Texas, outline the importance of education for a healthy economy.

Both studies are available on the Publications page. You can download the entire reports, as well as a brochure on the North Texas Future fund.