National Institute for Literacy
Policy Update
REPORT FROM WASHINGTON, D.C.
New Adult Education and Training Bill Introduced in Congress
April 17, 1997
A bipartisan group of lawmakers today introduced legislation that consolidates over 50 employment, training, and literacy programs into three block grants to states: one for adult employment and training, one for disadvantaged youth, and one for adult education and literacy.
The Employment, Training, and Literacy Enhancement Act of 1997, H.R. 1385 -- introduced by Reps. Buck McKeon (R-CA), Bill Goodling (R-PA), and Dale Kildee (D-MI) -- picks up where the House left off last year when the CAREERS bill was not enacted.
Key Adult Education and Literacy Provisions
H.R. 1385 includes a number of provisions that are important to the adult education and literacy community. It includes separate funding streams for each of the three block grants and requires states to give all local providers "direct and equitable access" to federal adult education funds. It prohibits states from using funds allocated by this bill to supplant state adult education and literacy funds.
Of the funds that flow from the federal government to the states for adult education and literacy through this bill, 85 percent must reach local programs for service delivery, 10 percent may be used for professional development and other program improvement activities within the state, and not more than 5 percent may be used for state administration.
H.R. 1385 explicitly includes family literacy as part of the adult education and literacy system. It continues national program support activities through both the Department of Education and the National Institute for Literacy. It eliminates the current set-aside for corrections education, as well as the current limit on how much can be spent on adult secondary education.
Key Employment and Training Provisions
In order to improve access to employment and training services, the bill transfers responsibility for design and implementation of programs to states and local communities and creates a full service employment and training system, similar to the "one-stop" centers already operating in some states. The system offers comprehensive education and training information, such as skill assessment, job search and placement assistance, and information about local adult education and literacy programs.
H.R. 1385 requires each state to establish a state plan that includes specific goals, benchmarks, and measures. The state plan will be used by the federal government to monitor how each state is meeting its goals and benchmarks and by the state to monitor local program progress. Adult education and literacy measures -- called "core performance indicators" -- include the following:
- demonstrated improvements in state literacy and numeracy skill levels;
- placement or retention in or completion of postsecondary education, training, or employment;
- attainment of the literacy skills and knowledge individuals need to be productive and responsible citizens and to become more actively involved in the education of their children.
The bill requires a joint planning process at the state level, coordinated by the Governor, who would bring together representatives of the education and business communities to develop the plan. The state agency with responsibility for adult education and literacy would have final authority over the adult education and literacy sections of the plan.
States that exceed their goals could receive additional funding through new incentive grants from the Secretary of Education, while those that fail to meet their goals would be sanctioned by a reduction in funding.
Next Steps
The Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education, Training, and Lifelong Learning, chaired by Rep. McKeon, is scheduled to consider H.R. 1385 on April 24. Since the bill has bipartisan support, it is likely to move quickly to full committee, chaired by Rep. Goodling, for consideration. As it moves through the legislation process, specific elements of the legislation are likely to change, and these changes will be covered in future Policy Updates.
For a copy of H.R. 1385, call the House Document Room at 202/226-5200.
For more information, contact Alice Johnson at 202-632-1500, ext. 31.