	Background

Under the authorization of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), the federal government makes grants to states to support services to improve literacy and other basic skills among adults who are not enrolled in school. Commonly called "adult education," the activities funded by AEFLA provide educational services to adults at the secondary level and below, as well as English language training. AEFLA-supported adult education services are typically provided by local entities. Legislative History and 2014 Reauthorization

AEFLA was originally enacted as Title II of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA, P.L. 105-220 ). After this extension expired, the programs authorized by the act continued to be funded through the annual appropriations process. In July 2014, AEFLA was reauthorized as Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA, P.L. 113-128 ). WIOA authorizes appropriations through FY2020. Major Changes to AEFLA in WIOA

The AEFLA provisions of WIOA maintained the general program structure established by the AEFLA provisions of WIA in 1998: the large majority of funding under the act is granted to state agencies that are required to subgrant the bulk of their federal funds to local agencies that provide the actual services. Smaller portions of the funds support activities of statewide and national significance. WIOA authorizes AEFLA appropriations from FY2015 through FY2020. The authorization level for FY2015 is $577,667,000. Purpose of AEFLA and Definition of Adult Education

Under the WIOA provisions, Section 202 of AEFLA specifies that the purpose of the legislation is to create a partnership between the federal government, states, and localities to provide services to
(1) assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and economic self-sufficiency;
(2) assist adults who are parents or family members to obtain the education and skills that-
(A) are necessary to becoming full partners in the educational development of their children; and
(B) lead to sustainable improvements in the economic opportunities for their family;
(3) assist adults in attaining a secondary school diploma and in the transition to postsecondary education and training, including through career pathways; and
(4) assist immigrants and other individuals who are English language learners in-
(A) improving their-
(i) reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension skills in English; and
(ii) mathematics skills; and
(B) acquiring an understanding of the American system of Government, individual freedom, and the responsibilities of citizenship. Total Appropriation
Reservation for National Leadership Activities (2% of total appropriation) Unreserved funds (98% of total appropriation) English Literacy and Civics Education State Grants (12% of unreserved funds) Adult education state grant funds (88% of unreserved funds) Subgrants to local providers (at least 82.5% of adult education state grant funds) State leadership activities (up to 12.5% of adult education state grant funds) Administrative costs (up to 5% of adult education state grant)
As noted in Table 1 , the AEFLA provisions of WIOA repealed two reservations that were enacted in the AEFLA provisions of WIA. EL-Civics grant funds are allotted to the states by formula on the basis of each's state relative share of recent immigrants admitted for legal permanent residence (LPR). State Plans and Performance Accountability Metrics

To be eligible for AEFLA grant funds, a state must have an approved state plan. Unified State Plans

Under WIOA, each state must submit a unified state plan (USP) that establishes a four-year strategy for the core WIOA-authorized programs in the state, including adult education. Each state must identify an expected level of performance for each indicator for each core WIOA program.
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 and activities funded by AEFLA typically support educational services at the secondary level and below, as well as English language training. Actual educational services are typically provided by local entities.
AEFLA was created by Title II of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA; P.L. 105-220). The authorization of appropriations under WIA lapsed after FY2003, though the program continued to be funded through the appropriations process. In 2014, AEFLA was reauthorized by Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA, P.L. 113-128). This report will discuss AEFLA as amended by WIOA.
WIOA made a number of changes to the authorizing law but maintained the program's primary function of authorizing federal grants to state agencies for adult education activities. State agencies may use a portion of federal funds for statewide activities, but the bulk of their grants must be subgranted to local providers. Eligible local providers include local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, community-based organizations, and other qualified entities.
Under WIOA, federal AEFLA grants are allotted to states via two formula grants:
88% of state grant funds are allotted to the states based on a formula that considers each state's relative share of adults who do not have a high school diploma or equivalent and who are not enrolled in school. These funds may support basic education services, coursework toward a secondary school diploma or equivalent, English language training or other adult education services. 12% of funds are allotted to the states based on a formula that considers each state's relative share of immigrants who were admitted for legal permanent residence in past years. These funds support "integrated English literacy and civics education" for English language learners.
WIOA requires that state agency grantees submit and have an approved unified state plan that aligns adult education with other core WIOA programs to meet local labor force needs. State grantees must also report on program performance using a set of metrics that applies across core WIOA programs, including adult education.
While the large majority of annual appropriations support grants to state agencies, statute reserves 2% of annual AEFLA appropriations for National Leadership Activities. These national activities include technical support for state agencies and assistance in meeting the performance accountability requirements of WIOA.
Congress appropriated $578 million for AEFLA-authorized activities in FY2014. WIOA authorizes the same appropriation level for FY2015. Between FY2015 and FY2020, WIOA authorizes annual increases in AEFLA appropriations, with an authorization level of $679 million in FY2020.