Adult Basic Education

The Adult Education an Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) was authorized under Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) with the intention of extending educational opportunities to individuals 16 and older who: are not currently enrolled in school; lack a high school diploma; or lack the basic skills to function effectively in the workplace and in their daily lives; or who are English language learners. 

AEFLA services fall into one of four program areas: Adult Basic Education (ABE) – basic skills instruction below the high school level; Adult Secondary Education (ASE) – high school level instruction; IELCE – integrated English literacy and civics education; and ELA – English language acquisition instruction. 

Community colleges make up 29 percent of providers offering AEFLA services. In offering adult education services, community colleges often combine AEFLA funds with Perkins and Strengthening Community College Training Grants to deliver literacy and numeracy skills alongside hands-on workforce preparation programming. As a result, adult learners earn industry-recognized credentials in tandem with building foundational skills. Community colleges also coordinate with other providers to help adult learners transition into credit-bearing coursework or certificate programs. Moreover, community colleges frequently partner with local employers, workforce boards, and community-based organizations to provide contextualized English and civics courses tailored to workplace communication.

AEFLA has an incredible return on investment, where regional economies are supported in meeting employer demand for skilled workers. Participants who transition from AEFLA-funded programs into postsecondary education or industry-recognized credential pathways are more likely to attain stable employment and contribute to local tax bases. 

 

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