Find uplifting stories about heroes, innovations, and solutions
134 results for "literacy"
Madeline Loring taught a sixth grader who had never learned to read, starting with letter sounds until the girl finally read "me" on her own. Fourteen years later, that dedication just earned her Pennsylvania's 2026 Teacher of the Year award.
In Nigeria's Enugu State, children who once sold goods in markets now learn robotics and coding in free modern schools equipped with science labs and daily meals. The government is investing record funds to build 260 smart schools, starting in the most underserved rural areas first.
Two Delhi professionals left their corporate careers to bring books, art, and storytelling to children in remote Himachal villages. Their mobile library has now reached over 2,000 kids across 30 villages who had never owned a book before.
Rhode Island lawmakers are backing legislation to put certified librarians in every public school after research showed they boost reading scores and student success. The Save Our Rhode Island School Libraries Act would ensure every student gets daily library access and professional support.
FirstBank Ghana brought together small business owners and experts for its first SME Connect Workshop, offering free training on finance, branding, and growth strategies. The bank is listening to customer feedback and pledging better service for Ghana's thriving small business community.
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2F2a%2F57%2F2a571e79-668d-4d9f-9934-55e281ace849%2Fwishbone-hero-chair.jpeg)
A beloved PBS show starring a literary Jack Russell terrier is getting the documentary treatment 30 years later. "What's the Story, Wishbone?" celebrates the show that introduced a generation to Shakespeare, Homer, and Dickens through a dog's eyes.
Chicago just made accessing 6 million books as easy as showing up to school. Every public school student ID now doubles as a library card across all 81 city library locations.
In Hampden, Massachusetts, volunteers are boxing up books for local children, some of whom will receive their first book ever. The initiative connects young readers with the tools they need to succeed.
Ever wondered where your tax money actually goes? A new website breaks it down in a fun, colorful format that makes government spending finally make sense.
A simple idea from watching a Spanish film could help one billion Indians become better readers. Dr. Brij Kothari's innovation adds same-language subtitles to TV shows, turning entertainment into automatic reading practice.
Librarians are breaking free from the "service provider" stereotype to become valued research partners and co-authors on scientific studies. One librarian's expertise in consumer health and digital literacy earned them spots on multiple research teams.
Former Wall Street trader Vivian Tu turned her experience of living paycheck to paycheck into a mission to teach millions about money. Her latest TED talk breaks down the financial lessons she wishes she'd known sooner.
A major research report reveals that everyday AI tools can influence beliefs without users realizing it, but transparency could give people the power to make informed choices. The findings are sparking calls for tech companies to open up about how their systems work.
A satirical article imagined Mexico's National Palace becoming a quinceañera venue and tanning salon to reduce the deficit. The joke publication "El Jalapeño" creates these fake stories to poke fun at real events.
President Bola Tinubu celebrated veteran journalist Chido Onumah's 60th birthday, recognizing six decades of championing press freedom and democracy in Nigeria. The tribute highlights a lifetime dedicated to building a more transparent and informed society.
KHOU 11's decade-long literacy campaign has put thousands of books directly into Houston kids' hands. The Turn the Page initiative continues connecting young readers with stories that spark imagination.
Kansas City nonprofits need volunteers right now, and the benefits go both ways. From reading with kids to caring for shelter animals, giving just a few hours creates measurable change in your community.
Anusuya Bai Wadekar sat for her first literacy test at age 86 in Maharashtra, India, after her grandson taught her the alphabet at home. Her journey shows that learning has no age limit.
Accounting students at Ohio State volunteered to prepare free tax returns for low-income residents, securing over half a million dollars in refunds. They caught costly errors, helped people file years of back taxes, and taught struggling workers how to avoid surprise tax bills.
Ten schools in Indiana's Senate District 7 achieved a 95% or higher pass rate on the 2025 IREAD literacy assessment, proving early reading programs work. The results show what happens when schools make literacy a top priority.
Showing 20 of 134