NCL Review
Literacy Research & Practice
The only peer-reviewed journal that bridges empirical research, practitioner knowledge, and policy advocacy across the full adult literacy ecosystem — published by the National Coalition for Literacy.
Evidence-based policy analysis and white papers that directly serve literacy advocacy at state and federal levels.
Research that illuminates the scope, impact, and urgency of adult literacy challenges in America and beyond.
Open Access — free to read for everyone. APCs waived for NCL members; waivers available for CBO authors, practitioners, and LMIC researchers.
Connecting the coalition of 27+ national organizations through shared scholarship and a unified publication venue.
Five Submission Tracks
The NCL Review welcomes contributions across the full spectrum of adult literacy and basic education — from rigorous empirical research to first-person learner narratives.
Empirical studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and theoretical papers using quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods designs.
Evidence-informed accounts from practitioners documenting instructional models, program approaches, and organizational innovations. Practitioners need not be academic researchers.
Evidence-based policy briefs, WIOA-aligned advocacy papers, and rapid-response analyses of active legislative developments. Fast-tracked for timely policy work.
First-person accounts by adult learners and co-authored community partnership reports. Adult learner co-authors always publish free. No rejection for academic style — authenticity is the standard.
Critical reviews of recently published books in adult literacy, adult education, literacy policy, and related fields. Typically invited; unsolicited reviews considered.
"Literacy is a bridge to opportunity — a tool for daily life in modern society. This journal exists to build that bridge from evidence to practice, from practice to policy, and from policy back to people."
NCL Review Editorial Philosophy
Meet the Editorial Board
The NCL Review is led by a Founding Editorial Board representing researchers, practitioners, state administrators, and policy advocates from across the adult literacy field.
Executive Director of the National Coalition for Literacy and Associate Professor of Adult Education at The Ohio State University. Former state director of adult education and longtime national leader in adult literacy policy and practice.
Director of the Educational Doctorate Program at the University of Bridgeport, a Hispanic-Serving Institution. Director of the Commission for Adult Basic Education & Literacy at AAACE. Co-developer of the Human-AI Symbiotic Theory (HAIST) and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Symbiotic Research.
Recent Publications
The NCL Review is in its inaugural year. We are actively accepting manuscripts across all five tracks for our first published issue. Open Access — free to read; APCs waived for NCL members.
Membership Tiers
NCL member organizations can amplify their research presence and support the field through journal partnership. Non-members publish at an accessible $399 APC.
- Discounted APC for all affiliated staff
- Access to reviewer pool for staff
- Free to read all published content
- 3 free submissions per year
- NCL Journal Partner badge/seal
- Listed in every issue masthead
- Coalition Spotlight eligibility
- Member News listings per issue
- Advance copy 2 weeks early
- Unlimited free submissions
- Permanent masthead recognition
- Dedicated annual Coalition Spotlight
- Advisory Board seat
- Custom reprint rights
- Special issue co-branding
- Designated Associate Editor
- 4 publications per year developed
- Quarterly editorial consultations
- Pre-submission manuscript development
- Annual "Year in Research" summary
- All Founding Partner benefits
Non-member APC: $399 · Waivers available for community practitioners, adult learner co-authors, small nonprofits ($99 processing fee), and LMIC authors. See waiver policy →
Submit Your Manuscript
The NCL Review accepts submissions on a rolling basis across all five tracks. Target review turnaround: 30–45 days.
Questions? Contact the editorial team