National Institute for Literacy
Policy Update
REPORT FROM WASHINGTON, D.C.
House Approves Bill To Reauthorize Adult Education and Literacy Programs
-- May 2003 --
On May 8, 2003, the US House of Representatives approved the Workforce Reinvestment and Adult Education Act of 2003 (HR 1261). This bill reauthorizes the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998, including the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act and the National Institute for Literacy.
Much like the original WIA legislation, the intent of HR 1261 is to enhance the US workforce investment system by strengthening one-stop career centers; providing for more effective governance arrangements; promoting access to a more comprehensive array of employment, training, and related services; establishing a targeted approach to serving youth; and improving performance accountability. HR 1261 renames the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act s the Adult Basic Skills Education Act, and requires focus on, and State demonstration of progress in, basic skills, such as reading, English language acquisition, writing, and mathematics.
HR 1261 reauthorizes the National Institute for Literacy and changes the purpose of the Institute to one that provides national leadership in promoting reading research, reading instruction, and professional development in reading based on scientifically based research. This purpose will be achieved primarily through information dissemination activities. Current law authorizes the National Institute for Literacy to provide national leadership regarding literacy, coordinate literacy services and policy, and serve as a national resource for adult education and literacy programs.
The bill will now move to the Senate for consideration before it is sent to the President for signature. It is unclear at this time whether the Senate will take up HR 1261 in its current form, or if the Senate will introduce its own WIA reauthorization bill.
For the text of the Adult Education Basic Skills Act, visit http://www.nifl.gov/nifl/policy/hr1261.htm#1
For the text on the Institute, visit http://www.nifl.gov/nifl/policy/hr1261.htm#2
For further information, visit the House Education and Workforce Committee web page at http://edworkforce.house.gov/ or the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee at http://www.senate.gov/%7Elabor/.