Under the authorization of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), the federal government has made grants to states to provide services to improve these skills among adults who are not enrolled in school. Commonly called "adult education" efforts, these investments provide educational services to adults at the secondary level and below, as well as English language training. Adult education services are typically provided by local entities using a combination of federal and non-federal funds. Curricula vary based on student needs and objectives. According to the most recent annual data, the average adult education student received 124 hours of instruction. In FY2013, appropriations under the act were $575 million. Of this appropriation, $554 million was distributed to the states via formula grants. AEFLA Statutory Provisions

AEFLA was enacted as Title II of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA; P.L. Since the expiration of this extension, the program has continued to be funded through the annual appropriations process. AEFLA reauthorization has been debated in the context of broader efforts to reauthorize WIA. To fulfill this purpose, statute authorizes funds for adult education activities, which it defines as services or instruction below the postsecondary level for individuals who are at least 16 years old, are not enrolled in school nor required to be enrolled in school under state law, and either
(i) lack sufficient mastery of basic educational skills to enable the individuals to function effectively in society;
(ii) do not have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and have not achieved an equivalent level of education; or
(iii) are unable to speak, read, or write the English language. The act also sets criteria for how state grant funds must be subgranted to local service providers. States must match their grants so that 25% of the state's total adult education resources are from non-federal sources. Non-federal matches may be cash or in-kind. Entities eligible to receive local subgrants include local educational agencies, community and faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education, and other nonprofit organizations. State plans must contain
an assessment of adult education needs in the state, including high-need and hard-to-serve individuals; a description of the adult education activities that will be funded by AEFLA; a description of how the state will annually evaluate and improve its activities using standardized reporting measures (see " Performance Accountability and Reporting Requirements " subsection later in this report); a description of the process that the state will use for public participation and comment in the development of its state plan; a description of how the state will develop program strategies for certain populations such as individuals with disabilities and single parents; a description of how AEFLA-funded activities in the state will be integrated with other adult education, career development, and employment training services; and a description of steps the state will take to ensure equitable access to funds among local adult education providers. The lesser of 1.5% of the appropriation or $8 million for the National Institute for Literacy (NIFL). Adult Basic Education (ABE) includes instruction for adults whose literacy skills are below the high school level. Adult Secondary Education (ASE) includes instruction for adults whose literacy skills are approximately at the high school level. This includes adults who are seeking to pass the General Education Development (GED) test or obtain a high school credential. English literacy (EL) is instruction for adults who are not proficient in the English language. Data on educational gains are available for all participants.
Enacted in 1998, the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) is the primary federal legislation that supports basic education for out-of-school adults. Commonly called "adult education," the programs funded by AEFLA typically support educational services at the secondary level and below, as well as English language training. Actual services are typically provided by local entities using a combination of federal and non-federal funds. Specific curricula vary based on the needs and objectives of the local student population.
In FY2013, approximately $575 million was appropriated for AEFLA. Of this sum, approximately $21 million was set aside for national activities and incentive grants. The remaining $554 million was allocated to the states via formula grants. To receive a federal grant, states are required to provide a match so that non-federal resources account for at least 25% of the total resources dedicated to adult education. Many states contribute well beyond their required match, though there is substantial variation among the states.
The statute specifies that 82.5% of each state's grant must be subgranted to local providers of educational services. These local providers are most commonly local education agencies (typically school districts) or institutions of higher education (typically community, junior, or technical colleges). Nonprofit agencies, correctional institutions, and other entities may also receive grants.
Adult education activities provided at the local level are divided into three broad categories:
Adult Basic Education (ABE), which includes instruction for adults whose literacy and numeracy skills are below the high school level; Adult Secondary Education (ASE), which includes instruction for adults whose literacy skills are approximately at the high school level, including adults who are seeking to pass the General Education Development (GED) test; and English literacy (EL), which includes instruction for adults who are not proficient in the English language.
In program year 2011-2012 (the most recent year for which complete data are available), approximately 1.8 million individuals participated in state adult education activities for an average of 124 hours each. A plurality of the students (47%) participated in ABE while a smaller share (40%) participated in EL activities. The remaining share of adult education students (13%) participated in ASE activities. Non-federal funds accounted for the majority of spending on these activities.
The authorization of appropriations for AEFLA expired at the end of FY2003, though the programs it supports have continued to be funded through the annual appropriations process. AEFLA was enacted as Title II of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) and AEFLA reauthorization debate has also been part of broader efforts to reauthorize WIA.