Established in 1989 as a vehicle for calling attention to admirable efforts to promote literacy in our country, the Literacy Award (given by the NCTE Executive Committee), recognizes and honors a prominent public figure outside the field of education (not primarily a professional educator) who has shown outstanding commitment to the educational development of young people in America and has made a significant difference in promoting and drawing public attention to the issue of literacy.
Literacy Award Recipients 
NOTE: Although in past years this award has been presented to groups, the desire has been to present this award to a single well-known individual.
The Literacy Award provides NCTE with an opportunity to recognize individuals who while not primarily professional educators, work for literacy in the local area of the NCTE Annual Convention. The award is an excellent and durable vehicle for showcasing important work encouraging reading and writing.
Criteria
The recipient should be:
1. A well-known public figure who is not primarily a professional educator (i.e. a person outside the field of education)
2. Someone who has done significant work over a period of time and has made a significant difference in drawing public attention to and stimulating the development of programs to foster literacy, not only among adults, but also youth and children.
NOTE: The NCTE Literacy Award does not need to be awarded each year. This award should be bestowed only when the subcommittee decides that nominations warrant presentation of the award.
Selection Committee
The selection committee will consist of the Vice President and a committee of three former members of the Executive Committee appointed by the Vice President. At her/his discretion, the Vice President may also select a member of the Council in good standing from the local area of the NCTE Annual Convention where the award is to be presented. If none of these members is a person of color, a person of color will serve as a fifth member of the committee.
The Selection Committee will submit their nominee to the Executive Committee for approval at the spring Executive Committee meeting.
Award Presentation
The Literacy Award is presented at the Friday morning Kick-off General Session of the NCTE Annual Convention.