About the The Literacy Information and Communication System (LINCS)

The Literacy Information and Communication System, commonly referred to as LINCS, is a national dissemination, resource gathering, and professional development system providing information on a wide variety of literacy relevant topics, issues, and resources.

As national attention has increasingly focused on the quality of instruction and educational resources, LINCS' emphasis has shifted from access to a wide variety of information to access to the highest-quality information, especially scientifically based research and resources based on the most rigorous research available. Where LINCS traditionally relied on a library model of providing resources, the redesigned LINCS provides a more focused collection of high quality resources geared toward improving instruction and delivery of services. Technical assistance is centered on assisting partner organizations and their members in using these new resources as well as on providing training developed around these resources.

The LINCS design uses three components: 1) Regional Resource Centers; 2) Resource Collections; and 3) Discussion Lists. The coordinated efforts of LINCS partners continues to provide a national infrastructure for the literacy community to access the most comprehensive collection of family and adult basic skills research, teaching/ learning and training resources.

LINCS Regional Resource Centers
The LINCS Regional Resource Centers (Centers) provide and disseminate the highest-quality resources using various approaches such as highlighting online materials, face-to-face technical assistance, and distance learning.  Through partnerships with adult education and related organizations, these resources help practitioners use evidence-based instructional practices that improve outcomes in adult learners' literacy skills. The Centers organize training and workshops, as well as provide assistance in using online instructional resources provided through LINCS. The Centers play a vital role in establishing both a national electronic database of information that disseminates information to the broadest possible audience within the literacy and basic skills field and also a communication network for literacy programs, providers, social service agencies, and students. For a map of the states in each region, go to the Regional Resource Center page.

LINCS Resource Collections
The Literacy Information and Communication (LINCS) Resource Collections (Collections) develop, organize, and support online subject-oriented collections of high quality instructional resources, including multi-media resources, informed by research, especially scientifically-based and other rigorous research, for use by adult education and literacy educators. The Collections also provide information on how to use the featured resources to enhance teaching and learning. In addition, the Collections provide technical assistance on the content and use of the collections through presentations, workshops, and informational materials provided to adult education and literacy program administrators, project directors, instructors, and professional development staff. Limited technical assistance is provided via telephone and email.

The Collections are grouped into three main categories: I. Basic Skills; II. Program Management; and III. Workforce Competitiveness.  Each Collection focuses on locating, reviewing and selecting high-quality instructional materials, resources, and research for use by adult education and literacy program personnel. The Basic Skills Collection focuses on Reading, Writing, Math and Numeracy, and Health Literacy. Program Management focuses on Assessment, Learning Disabilities and Program Improvement. Workforce Competitiveness covers the areas of English Language Acquisition, Technology and Workforce Education. 

The LINCS Special Collections are still accessible. The National Institute for Literacy provided funding for this project from 2001 to 2006. The LINCS Special Collections websites are being retained for informational and reference purposes only, the sites are no longer being actively maintained.

LINCS Discussion Lists
The LINCS online Discussion Lists give thousands of literacy stakeholders on-going professional development opportunities where participants can discuss the literacy field's critical issues; share resources, experiences, and ideas; ask questions of subject experts; and keep up-to-date on literacy issues. Each discussion list is moderated by an individual with significant expertise in the topic area.

 

Background
LINCS was originally designed to provide a centralized point of access to information about adult literacy and an infrastructure to facilitate communication for a highly decentralized field of professionals, volunteers, and learners. The LINCS network included catalogued literacy resources, special collections of materials on topics such as workplace literacy, English as a Second Language, assessment, and a number of online public discussion lists. Each week, current news stories, events, funding opportunities, and professional development opportunities regarding literacy were added to the databases.

LINCS relied on a group of five regional centers, called Regional Technology Centers (RTCs) to promote LINCS to the public; develop and manage regional and state-level website infrastructure; and provide technical assistance and training at the state and local levels in the use of LINCS for adult education and literacy practitioners. LINCS also consisted of Content Development Partners, which developed Special Collections in specific topics areas, such as Assessment, Correctional Education, English as a Second Language, Learning Disabilities, and Workplace Literacy.

Click here for more information on the History of LINCS.

Click here for LINCS Evaluation Reports