Students learn new skills and concepts every day in school—but learning comes with an extra set of challenges for more than 4 million English language learner (ELL) students who attend public schools nationwide.

Know a program that excels in improving its students' reading, writing and critical thinking skills? For the third year in a row, the Afterschool Alliance and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation seek nominations for the $10,000 Dollar General Afterschool Literacy Award.

The ability to read, write, and think critically are vital skills—important at every stage of a person's life to succeed academically, professionally, and beyond.