
Welcome
Literacy Council of Bowie and Miller Counties
Education that empowers adults, strengthens families, and drives lasting intergenerational and community change.

Education that empowers adults, strengthens families, and drives lasting intergenerational and community change.
We provide free tutoring in reading, math, GED preparation, ESL/English, digital literacy, financial literacy, family literacy, and workforce skills so adults in Bowie and Miller Counties can build confidence, open new opportunities, and create stronger futures for their families. All of our services are built with the student in mind, so we work on their schedule at their pace.
We serve adults in Bowie and Miller Counties and the surrounding areas who want to build stronger skills and open new opportunities for themselves and their families. Each year, more than 400 adults come to us for support in our various programs. Many begin with limited literacy skills or gaps in their learning, and that is completely okay. Our mission is to provide a welcoming place where every adult, regardless of background, race, religion, or education level, can learn at their own pace and feel supported every step of the way. Our services are for everyone, and we are here to help you start wherever you are.

One in four adults in Bowie and Miller Counties, about 25,000 residents, reads at or below a Level 1. Adults at this level can often recognize words but may struggle to understand short passages, follow written directions, or complete everyday forms without help. These challenges do not reflect a lack of intelligence or effort. Many adults never received effective reading instruction, faced interruptions in schooling, lived through generational poverty, or had undiagnosed learning differences that went unsupported. When reading feels difficult, everything from applying for a job to managing healthcare becomes harder. Low literacy limits opportunity, reduces income, and creates barriers that often continue into the next generation. (Source)

Low literacy has serious economic and generational effects. Adults with the lowest literacy skills are far more likely to live in poverty and earn significantly less, and low literacy costs the United States an estimated 2.2 trillion dollars each year. Children of low-literacy parents also face a much higher risk of struggling in school.
These national trends directly affect our local workforce, family stability, and long-term growth. Improving literacy here strengthens our entire community, both now and for future generations. (Source)

According to a 2024 CEW report, roughly 72% of U.S. jobs will require post-secondary education or training by 2031. In Texas, middle-skill jobs make up 56 percent of the labor market, but only 42 percent of workers are prepared for them. Locally, 13 to 15 percent of adults do not have a high school diploma or GED, limiting access to stable, in-demand careers. When many residents lack the skills employers need, our economy feels the strain. Strengthening adult literacy is essential for filling workforce gaps and supporting long-term family and community stability. (Source)
While our office is open for set hours, all tutoring sessions are scheduled by appointment. At times, our staff may be working off-site, so making an appointment before coming in is always the best way to ensure someone is available to help you.
We also offer evening tutoring hours by appointment for adults who need additional flexibility.
829 Johnson Avenue, Texarkana, TX, USA
Phone: (903) - 823 - 3470 Email: admin@literacytxk.org
Open today | 09:00 am – 04:00 pm |
If you stop by and find that we are temporarily out of the office, give us a call with your info so we can reach out!