Tennessee Literacy Coalition to close after 33 years

The Tennessee Literacy Coaltion announced Tuesday that it would close after 33 years of promoting reading education.

In a letter, executive director Suzanne Horne said the nonprofit will stop operations in June. She cited budget problems and also canceled a statewide adult literacy conference that had been scheduled for March 4.

The coalition’s work has included online tutor training to try to increase literacy volunteers in Tennessee, tracking of literacy data in the state and organizing professional development sessions.

“We have come so far in the fight against illiteracy, but there is a very long road ahead,” Horne wrote, and she encouraged volunteers to remain active in local adult literacy programs.

Reach Tony Gonzalez at 615-259-8089 and on Twitter @tgonzalez.