College Reading & Learning Association

What College Reading & Learning Association does

The College Reading & Learning Association (CRLA) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional association founded in the late 1960s (originally as the Western College Reading Association) and headquartered in Wales, Wisconsin. CRLA serves college professionals dedicated to student academic success through two internationally recognized certification programs: the International Tutor Training Program Certification (ITTPC), launched in 1989, and the International Peer Educator Training Program Certification (IPTPC), launched in 1998. Both offer three progressive levels covering hiring, training, experience, and evaluation requirements. Since 1989, over 1,000 college tutor training programs across 12+ countries have achieved ITTPC certification, with the broader ecosystem exceeding 1,200 certified programs.

The organization's product surface includes the Summer Institute (annual intensive training in Grand Rapids, MI), the annual conference rotating across US cities, the peer-reviewed Journal of College Reading and Learning (JCRL, published by Taylor & Francis), the monthly NewsNotes e-newsletter, a 111-module Handbook for Training Peer Tutors & Mentors, white papers, awards and scholarships, and an online community platform (MyCRLA) built on YourMembership association management software. Distribution is direct via the crla.net web portal, with weekly certification application processing handled by volunteer reviewers.

CRLA's business model is multi-stream nonprofit revenue: membership dues ($50 student to $400 group institutional, annual billing), certification application and renewal fees ($450-$1,050 depending on level and membership status, with multi-year cycles), Summer Institute tuition ($950-$1,100 per attendee), and conference registration plus sponsorships. The association also monetizes adjacent publisher partnerships, with members receiving access to College Teaching and Community College Journal for Research and Practice via Taylor & Francis. Operating with approximately 9 staff, CRLA is volunteer-led by a Board of Directors and practicing higher education professionals serving as coordinators and directors.

Name

College Reading & Learning Association

Legal name

College Reading & Learning Association

Website

https://crla.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CRLA is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional association that certifies college tutor and peer educator training programs worldwide (ITTPC and IPTPC), serves learning assistance professionals through memberships, conferences, and publications, and operates with about 9 staff.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Certification Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Credentialing, Certification Prep & Exam Training (BPACANAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Credentialing, Academic Credit, Assessment & Transcript Services (EDAIAFAO), Short-Term Certificate & Micro-Credential Programs (International) (EDAIAIAI)

Keywords

• Tutor training certification
• Peer educator certification
• Professional association membership
• Developmental education standards
• Learning assistance services

Headquarters

HQ city

Wales

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees ranging from $50 (student) to $400 (group institutional) provide recurring revenue and access to publications, webinars, and professional development resources.
2. Certification Fees: ITTPC and IPTPC certification applications generate fees from $450-$1,050 for members and $650-$1,050 for non-members depending on certification level and type. Initial certification valid 2 years, renewals every 4 years.
3. Summer Institute Registration: Annual multi-day professional development institute in Grand Rapids generates tuition revenue at $950-$1,100 per participant including materials, meals, and closing celebration.
4. Annual Conference Revenue: Conference registration fees and sponsorships from exhibitors and vendors at annual events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

CRLA is a professional membership association that issues the International Tutor Training Program Certification (ITTPC) and International Peer Educator Training Program Certification (IPTPC) to postsecondary tutor and peer educator training programs at three progressive levels. It complements these certifications with the annual conference, multi-day Summer Institute, peer-reviewed Journal of College Reading and Learning (JCRL), the Handbook for Training Peer Tutors & Mentors, white papers, member webinars, awards, and the MyCRLA online community.

Product overview

The College Reading & Learning Association (CRLA) is a professional membership organization offering two primary certification programs: the International Tutor Training Program Certification (ITTPC) and International Peer Educator Training Program Certification (IPTPC), both with three progressive levels. The organization runs annual conferences and Summer Institute training events, publishes the Journal of College Reading and Learning (JCRL), NewsNotes newsletter, White Papers, and the Handbook for Training Peer Tutors & Mentors. Additional offerings include awards/scholarships, professional development resources, SIGs, and SRCs, all accessible through the MyCRLA online community platform built on YourMembership software.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• International Tutor Training Program Certification (ITTPC) Three-level certification program for postsecondary tutor training programs (Level 1, 2, 3) covering hiring, training (minimum 10 hours per level), tutoring experience (25 hours per level), and evaluation. Established 1989; over 1,000 programs certified globally; fees $450-$1,050.
• International Peer Educator Training Program Certification (IPTPC) Three-level certification for peer educator training programs (mentors, coaches, Supplemental Instruction leaders, classroom leaders) at postsecondary institutions. Includes requirements for hiring, training, experience, and evaluation. Established 1998.
• CRLA Annual Conference Annual professional development conference featuring sessions, workshops, networking, and awards. Conference 2026 scheduled for October 28-31 in Orlando, FL. Includes pre-conference institutes, experiential sessions, and sponsors/exhibitors.
• CRLA Summer Institute Multi-day intensive training event for tutor and mentor trainers held annually in Grand Rapids, MI. Tuition $950-$1,100 per participant including materials, meals, and closing celebration. Includes core modules, intensive training modules, and certification roadmap development.
• Journal of College Reading and Learning (JCRL) International peer-reviewed journal published 4 times annually by Taylor & Francis. Covers developmental education, postsecondary literacy instruction, and learning assistance at postsecondary level.
• Handbook for Training Peer Tutors & Mentors Comprehensive 111-module resource by 106 authors covering theories, modes of training, program management, and training topics for postsecondary tutors and mentors. Designed to meet CRLA certification standards.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 college tutor training programs globally have received ITTPC certification since 1989.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS) in Higher EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRLA is a proud member of CAS, which sets standards for higher education programs. CRLA co-sponsors the Ted K. Miller Award for Excellence in Assessment of Student Learning and Development with CAS.
• Council of Learning Assistance and Developmental Education Associations (CLADEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRLA is a member of CLADEA, a confederation of professional associations in learning assistance and developmental education. CLADEA endorses CRLA's ITTPC certification.
• ACTLA - Association of Colleges for Tutoring and Learning AssistancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACTLA advances excellence in tutoring and learning assistance, promotes equity in achievement, and fosters a research-driven professional community. ACTLA endorses CRLA's ITTPC certification.
• ACTP - Association for the Coaching and Tutoring ProfessioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACTP unites academic coaches and support professionals to foster successful learners in higher education. ACTP endorses CRLA's ITTPC certification.
• ICLCA - International College Learning Center AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICLCA supports professionals in developing effective learning centers that enhance postsecondary student success. ICLCA endorses CRLA's ITTPC certification.
• ICSI - The International Center for Supplemental InstructionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICSI, based at UMKC, is the global hub for Supplemental Instruction and provides training and research support worldwide. CRLA's IPTPC certifies SI leader training programs.
• Innovative EducatorscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCRLA's partnership with Innovative Educators provides members complimentary access to webinars through Go2Knowledge Dashboard featuring topics from technology to institutional effectiveness.
• YourMembership (Association Management Software)coreTechnology or IntegrationCRLA uses YourMembership association management software powered by yourmembership.com for member services, online community, certification applications, and MyCRLA platform.
• Taylor & FranciscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTaylor & Francis publishes the Journal of College Reading and Learning (JCRL) for CRLA. Through this partnership, CRLA members also receive access to Community College Journal of Research and Practice and College Teaching.
• National Center for Developmental Education (NCDE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCDE endorses CRLA's ITTPC certification as part of professional standards in developmental education.
• NCLCA - National College Learning Center AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCLCA endorses CRLA's ITTPC certification as part of standards for learning center professionals.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Association of Colleges for Tutoring and Learning Assistance (ACTLA): Association advancing excellence in tutoring and learning assistance and promoting equity in achievement. ACTLA endorses CRLA's ITTPC and serves a directly overlapping practitioner audience in postsecondary tutoring.
• National College Learning Center Association (NCLCA): US-based association for learning center professionals in higher education, with overlapping membership with CRLA. NCLCA endorses CRLA's ITTPC and competes for the same institutional and individual memberships in the learning assistance space.
• National Association for Developmental Education (NADE): Primary US professional association serving developmental education practitioners, including learning assistance and tutoring professionals. NADE is the closest direct peer to CRLA in mission, serving overlapping practitioner segments in postsecondary developmental and learning support contexts.
• National Center for Developmental Education (NCDE): University-based center at Appalachian State providing training, publications, and research in developmental education. NCDE endorses CRLA's ITTPC and competes for institutional memberships and professional development spend in the same market.
• International College Learning Center Association (ICLCA): Association supporting professionals in developing effective learning centers that enhance postsecondary student success. ICLCA is both an endorsing body of CRLA's ITTPC and a peer serving the same learning center and tutoring professional audience.
• Association for the Coaching and Tutoring Profession (ACTP): Association uniting academic coaches and support professionals in higher education. ACTP endorses CRLA's ITTPC and operates in the adjacent academic coaching niche that overlaps with CRLA's IPTPC peer educator scope.

Broad incumbents

• Council of Learning Assistance and Developmental Education Associations (CLADEA): Confederation of professional associations in learning assistance and developmental education that endorses CRLA's ITTPC. CLADEA functions as an umbrella peer connecting CRLA to other member associations in the same field.
• NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education: Large US professional association for student affairs professionals in higher education. While not a direct competitor, NASPA's learning assistance and student success content overlaps with CRLA's audience and competes for institutional professional development budgets.
• Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS): Consortium that sets standards for higher education programs across student affairs, learning assistance, and academic support. CAS partners with CRLA on the Ted K. Miller Award and represents a broader-incumbent peer in the higher-education standards space.

Regional players

• International Center for Supplemental Instruction (ICSI): UMKC-based global hub for Supplemental Instruction training and research. ICSI partners with CRLA via IPTPC certification of SI leader training programs and serves an overlapping practitioner niche with international reach.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CRLApd
• Facebookfacebook.com/CollegeReadingAndLearningAssoc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/collegereadinglearningassoc
• Instagraminstagram.com/crla_edu

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about College Reading & Learning Association