Adult Education and Literacy: Overview and Reauthorization Proposals of the 109th Congress

Publication Date: May 2005

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Education

Type:

Abstract:

The 109th Congress is considering the reauthorization of federal adult education and literacy programs. The Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) authorized these programs through FY2003. The General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) provided a one-year extension of authorization through FY2004, and annual appropriations have continued AEFLA programs since. The primary AEFLA activity is a state grant program that supports education and literacy services for educationally disadvantaged adults. The AEFLA also authorizes national leadership activities in adult education and literacy, and the National Institute for Literacy. The FY2005 AEFLA appropriation is $585 million; the FY2006 budget request would reduce funding to $216 million. The AEFLA was enacted as Title II of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), P.L. 105-220, on August 7, 1998.

The House reauthorization proposal, H.R. 27, the Job Training Improvement Act of 2005, passed the House by a vote of 224 to 200 on March 2, 2005. Title II of the act would replace the AEFLA with the Adult Education, Basic Skills, and Family Literacy Education Act (AEBSFLEA). The AEBSFLEA would modify several AEFLA provisions; however, most current adult education and literacy activities would be continued. The AEBSFLEA would increase the emphasis placed on teaching basic skills to adults and providing services to adult immigrants, and would expand the requirements placed on each state performance accountability system. Eligibility for local grants would be extended to include faith-based organizations and for-profit entities. The National Institute for Literacy would be reoriented to provide leadership in literacy research and instruction for persons of all ages. The AEBSFLEA would be authorized from FY2006 through FY2011.

In the Senate, S. 1021, the Workforce Investment Act Amendments of 2005, was introduced May 12, 2005, and marked up and ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) on May 18, 2005. Title II of the act would amend several AEFLA provisions; however, most current activities would be continued. The allocation formula for state grants would not be modified, but annual appropriations provisions for English Literacy and Civics Education grants would be incorporated into the AEFLA. The requirements placed on each state performance accountability system would be expanded. The National Institute for Literacy would be reoriented to provide leadership in literacy research and instruction for persons of all ages. The AEFLA would be authorized from FY2006 through FY2011. On January 24, 2005, S. 9, the Lifetime of Education Opportunities Act of 2005 (LEOA), was introduced; no further action has taken place. Title IV, Subtitle B, Chapter 2 of S. 9 is similar in most respects to Title II of S. 1021 except that AEFLA state grant allocations would be modified under S. 9.

This report will be updated after major legislative action.