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The Adult Literacy Clearinghouse Project was TCALL's first adult literacy project, funded by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and overseen by the Division of Adult and Community Education. Because of its central role in providing resources to the adult literacy field in Texas, the Clearinghouse functions as Texas' official state literacy resource center, and Clearinghouse staff represent Texas in national activities such as those of the National Institute for Literacy (NIFL) and its Literacy Information aNd Communication System (LINCS).

In 2003, TEA moved the state adult education office function to a new entity called Texas LEARNS, which now oversees the work of TCALL's Clearinghouse Project. This organizational chart of Texas Adult Education and Family Literacy depicts the relationship among TEA, Texas LEARNS, state leadership projects such as TCALL’s Clearinghouse Project, and local adult and family literacy programs.

So, it all began in 1989, with the creation of TCALL?

Actually, it all began in 1988 when the Division of Adult and Community Education at Texas Education Agency was looking for a new repository for its adult literacy materials collection. Through a competitive bid process, Texas A&M University, College of Education was awarded this special project. The materials collection was moved to TCALL in late 1988, and the Texas A&M University Board of Regents officially approved the creation of TCALL as a Center in 1989.

How has the Clearinghouse changed since its inception?

In 1989, the primary function was to acquire and disseminate adult literacy materials to practitioners across the state. The target audience, and thus the Clearinghouse Library resources, have expanded to include the early childhood and parenting education components included in comprehensive family literacy programs such as Even Start. In 2006, the Clearinghouse Project's name became The Texas Adult and Family Literacy Statewide Clearinghouse. In addition to that name change, services of the Clearinghouse expanded considerably beyond the Library and a quarterly publication.

What does the Clearinghouse Project Do Now?

Clearinghouse services today include:

resources and information for adult and family literacy educators in Texas
this Web site gateway to information about adult and family literacy education, resources, initiatives, and collaboration
a free practitioner-oriented publication, Texas Adult & Family Literacy Quarterly
a comprehensive Directory of Non-profit Adult and Family Literacy Providers in Texas
email discussion lists, including Adult Education Administrators, Teachers, Family Literacy, and Workforce Literacy, as well as other special purpose discussion lists
research projects relevant to the adult and family literacy community in Texas, including support to two TCALL Fellows conducting doctoral research in adult literacy at Texas A&M University
Event planning and registration for statewide meetings
support of statewide professional development initiatives
Volunteer Literacy Training Initiative to provide support for professional development of community-based literacy program volunteers and leaders
Basic English Skills Test (BEST) dissemination at state discount price
an Information and Referral Hotline
represents Texas in the National Institute for Literacy’s Literacy Information and Communication System (LINCS) and other appropriate national and regional initiatives