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Adult Education and Literacy

The Division of Adult Education and Literacy (DAEL) promotes programs that help American adults get the basic skills they need to be productive workers, family members and citizens. The major areas of support are Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education and English Language Acquisition. These programs emphasize basic skills such as reading, writing, math, English language competency and problem-solving.

Adult education and literacy programs are funded through federal grants to the states. The amount each state receives is based on a formula established by Congress. States, in turn, distribute funds to local eligible entities to provide adult education and literacy services. Individuals and local providers cannot receive grant money directly from the Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE).

The Division provides assistance to states to improve program quality and capacity.

The U.S. Departments of Education, Labor, Justice, and Health and Human Services welcome you to our joint Youth Regional Forums for serving youth in a demand-driven economy.

Who should attend: State adult basic education directors and/or one other representative.

Register for the forum.

The STAR Project got off to a great start with our kick-off meeting in July. Read about the latest happenings in MSWORD (411 KB)

Profiles of the Adult Education Target Population: Information from the 2000 Census, April 2004:

• Census Report Section 1 PDF (192 KB)
• Census Report Section 2 PDF (247 KB)
• Census Report Section 3 PDF (2,498 KB)

For additional information on:

• State adult education and literacy programs, see contact information for the State Directors of Adult Education.

• DAEL's grant programs, see Adult Education and Literacy on OVAE's grants webpage. State Grant Administration Frequently Asked Questions from the New State Directors of Adult Education meeting held recently MS WORD (47 K).

• The legislation that authorizes adult education and literacy programs, see OVAE's Legislation page.

• Budget information.

• The Division of Adult Education and Literacy Staff Directory
  MS WORD (55 K).

• The latest news on adult education and literacy, see OVAE's News.

Topics in Adult Education and Literacy

• Mathematics in Adult Education and Literacy

• Adult Education and Literacy Standards and Assessment

• Adult Secondary Education offers preparation for the General Educational Development (GED) test, external diploma, and high school completion.

• English Literacy programs provide instruction for adult learners with limited English proficiency.

• English Literacy and Civics Education

• Family Literacy focuses on interactive literacy activities between parents and children.

• People with Disabilities: Information on how best to serve people with disabilities in adult education.

• Professional Development: Information about how to prepare and support educators to help all students achieve to higher standards of learning.

• Reading activities are used in state adult education programs to comprehend written language.

• Technology and Distance Learning: Information about how technology is used to improve the delivery of adult education, including distance learning.

• Transitions to Postsecondary Education: Information for education professionals interested in helping students to prepare for, enter, and succeed in postsecondary education.

• Work-Based Education offers literacy and basic skills training for adults seeking employment or increased job productivity.

Facts and Figures

• Facts at a Glance provides adult education and literacy statistics.

• The National Assessments of Adult Literacy (NCES) report literacy trends based on national survey results.

• The National Reporting System is the accountability system for federally funded adult education program. It includes student assessment measures, data collection methodologies, reporting forms, and program procedures.

Related Links

The Adult Education Related Links include relevant organizations and centers, useful resources, and journals or periodicals pertaining to adult education and literacy.