Bill Summary
The Adult Education WORKS Act seeks to strengthen adult education and workforce development by amending the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. It establishes a title and section for "Workforce Development Activities" and includes provisions for data collection, reporting, and use of public libraries. The legislation also includes amendments to the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, including increased funding, a pilot program for performance accountability systems, and support for digital literacy and information literacy skills.
Possible Impacts
1. The new legislation will provide more funding for adult education and literacy programs, increasing the number of individuals who can access these services and potentially leading to improved education and job opportunities.
2. The establishment of a title and section for "Workforce Development Activities" within the overall act will expand the capacity of State and local workforce development systems, creating more opportunities for individuals to receive career navigation services.
3. Through the amendments made to the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, the legislation aims to improve the quality and standards of adult education programs, as well as expand options for the education of adults and develop family literacy programs. This will directly benefit individuals seeking to improve their education and job skills.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2789 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2789
To amend the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act and the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act to strengthen adult education.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 9, 2025
Mrs. McBath (for herself and Mr. Mrvan) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act and the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act to strengthen adult education.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Adult Education Workforce
Opportunity and Reskilling for Knowledge and Success Act'' or the
``Adult Education WORKS Act''.
TITLE I--WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
SEC. 101. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES.
(a) Amendment to WIOA.--Except as otherwise expressly provided,
whenever in this section an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms
of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the
reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other
provision of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
3101 et seq.).
(b) Definitions.--
(1) In general.--Section 3 (29 U.S.C. 3102) is amended--
(A) by striking paragraph (5);
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (9) as
paragraphs (5) through (8), respectively;
(C) by inserting after paragraph (8), as
redesignated by subparagraph (B), the following:
``(9) College and career navigator.--The term `college and
career navigator' means an individual who--
``(A) has extensive knowledge of workforce
development programs and services, postsecondary
programs and services, Federal and other student
financial aid for postsecondary education, and case
management techniques;
``(B) supports persons who are accessing services
under this Act, by gathering work history and skills
information, providing tailored college and career
guidance and labor market information, helping
jobseekers identify training and educational options to
best fit their needs, including Federal student aid and
other assistance available to pay the costs of
attendance at an institution of higher education or for
participation in training, facilitating access to
services, and facilitating co-enrollment of individuals
in programs carried out under title I and title II;
``(C) provides or organizes provision of services
to promote job readiness, digital literacy skills,
information literacy skills, and the skills needed for
success in postsecondary education, facilitates the
successful transition of individuals to postsecondary
education, coordinates activities with employers and
with entities and individuals involved in the one-stop
delivery system in the local area, and conducts
community outreach; and
``(D) as determined appropriate by the one-stop
operator or eligible provider of adult education and
literacy activities involved, is responsible for
recruitment of students in adult education and literacy
activities and participants in workforce investment
activities, provision of intensive case management,
provision of career exploration services, and data
collection associated with an activity specified in
this subparagraph.'';
(D) by redesignating paragraphs (12) through (14),
(15) through (21), (22) through (26), and (27) through
(71), as paragraphs (13) through (15), (17) through
(23), (25) through (29), and (31) through (75),
respectively;
(E) by inserting after paragraph (11) the
following:
``(12) Concurrent enrollment.--The term `concurrent
enrollment' has the meaning given the term in section 203.'';
(F) by inserting after paragraph (15), as
redesignated by subparagraph (D), the following:
``(16) Digital literacy skills.--The term `digital literacy
skills' has the meaning given the term in section 203.'';
(G) by inserting after paragraph (23), as
redesignated by subparagraph (D), the following:
``(24) Foundational skill needs.--The term `foundational
skill needs', used with respect to an individual, means--
``(A) in the case of an individual who is a youth,
an individual who has English reading, writing, or
computing skills at or below the 8th grade level on a
generally accepted standardized test; or
``(B) in the case of an individual who is a youth
or adult, an individual who is unable to compute or
solve problems, or read, write, or speak English, at a
level necessary to function on the job, in the
individual's family, or in society.''; and
(H) by inserting after paragraph (29), as
redesignated by subparagraph (D), the following:
``(30) Information literacy skills.--The term `information
literacy skills' has the meaning given the term in section
203.''.
(2) Conforming amendments.--
(A) Section 121(h)(2)(C)(ii) (29 U.S.C.
3151(h)(2)(C)(ii)) is amended by striking ``section
3(13)(D)'' and inserting ``section 3(14)(D)''.
(B) Section 134(c)(3)(H)(i) (29 U.S.C.
3174(c)(3)(H)(i)) is amended by striking ``section
3(44)'' and inserting ``section 3(48)''.
(C) Section 170(b)(1)(D)(i) (29 U.S.C.
3225(b)(1)(D)(i)) is amended by striking ``section
3(15)(E)'' and inserting ``section 3(17)(E)''.
(D) Section 211(e)(3) (29 U.S.C. 3291(e)(3)) is
amended by striking ``section 3(45)'' and inserting
``section 3(49)''.
(c) State Workforce Development Boards.--Section 101 (29 U.S.C.
3111) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(1)(C)(ii)(IV), by inserting ``, and
representatives of organizations that provide adult education''
after ``out-of-school youth''; and
(2) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (7)(A), by striking ``(as defined
in section 202 of the Museum and Library Services Act
(20 U.S.C. 9101); referred to in this Act as `digital
literacy skills')'';
(B) in paragraph (11), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(C) by redesignating paragraph (12) as paragraph
(13); and
(D) by inserting after paragraph (11) the
following:
``(12) in collaboration with providers of adult education
and literacy activities, the promotion of the employment of
college and career navigators by the one-stop centers in the
State; and''.
(d) Program Specifics for State Plans.--Section 102(b)(2) (29
U.S.C. 3112(b)(2)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (D)(ii)--
(A) in subclause (II), by striking item (dd) and
inserting the following:
``(dd) integrated education
and training, including how
costs for such activities will
be shared among relevant core
programs;'';
(B) in subclause (V), by adding ``and'' at the end;
and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(VI) how the eligible agency will
promote, through funding priority or
other means, professionalization of
adult education and literacy activities
through the adoption of staffing models
that include requirements and support
for teacher credentialing, standards,
and support for ongoing in-service
professional development, and career
ladders for professional growth, which
may include more opportunities for
full-time teaching positions;''; and
(2) in subparagraph (E)(iii)(II), by inserting ``providers
of adult education and literacy activities,'' after
``institutions of higher education,''.
(e) Local Boards.--Section 107 (29 U.S.C. 3122) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(1), by adding at the end the
following:
``(D) Information on membership.--The chief elected
officials appointing the local board for a local area
shall make publicly available information on the
membership of the board (including information
identifying how the membership composition requirements
of subsection (b) have been met), including by posting
that information on the website of each unit of general
local government included in the local area.''; and
(2) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (5), by striking ``secondary and
postsecondary education'' and inserting ``secondary,
postsecondary, and adult education'';
(B) in paragraph (7)(C)--
(i) by inserting ``, in consultation with
providers of public access to technology,''
after ``identifying strategies'';
(ii) by inserting ``, including deliveries
through public libraries,'' after ``traditional
service delivery''; and
(iii) by inserting ``and information
literacy skills'' after ``digital literacy
skills''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(14) College and career navigators.--The local board, in
collaboration with providers of adult education and literacy
activities in the local area, shall promote the employment of
college and career navigators by the one-stop centers and
eligible providers (as defined in section 203) in the local
area.''.
(f) Local Plans.--Section 108 (29 U.S.C. 3123) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(13), by inserting ``, including, in
all local plans after the first such plan, a description of how
the local board carried out such coordination and completed
such review during the previous 4-year period'' after
``submitted under title II''; and
(2) in subsection (d)(3), by inserting ``, along with a
description of the actions the local board took in response to
such comments'' after ``disagreement with the plan''.
(g) Indicators of Performance.--Section 116(b)(2)(A) (29 U.S.C.
3141(b)(2)(A)) is amended--
(1) in clause (i), by striking subclauses (IV) and (V) and
inserting the following:
``(IV) the percentages of program
participants who, during participation
in the program--
``(aa) obtain a recognized
postsecondary credential or a
secondary school diploma or its
recognized equivalent; and
``(bb) are in an education
or training program that leads
to a recognized postsecondary
credential or employment and
who are achieving measurable
skill gains toward such a
credential or employment;
``(V) the percentages of program
participants who, within 1 year after
exit from the program--
``(aa) obtain a secondary
school diploma or its
recognized equivalent;
``(bb) have obtained or
retained employment; and
``(cc) are in an education
or training program leading to
a recognized postsecondary
credential; and'';
(2) by striking clause (iii) and inserting the following:
``(iii) Interim indicators for adult
education.--A State may develop interim
indicators for measuring the percentage of
program participants on track to meet the
indicators described in subclauses (IV) and (V)
of clause (i) for adult education and literacy
activities authorized under title II.''; and
(3) in clause (iv), by striking ``clauses (i)(VI)'' and
inserting ``clause (i)(VI)''.
(h) Common Participant Individual Record Layout.--Section 116 (29
U.S.C. 3141) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(j) Common Participant Individual Record Layout.--The Secretary
of Labor and the Secretary of Education shall establish a common
reporting system that covers, and that accommodates, the core programs,
relating to participant records and the performance accountability
measures described in subsection (b).''.
(i) One-Stop Delivery Systems.--Section 121 (29 U.S.C. 3151) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (d)(2)(B)--
(A) by redesignating clauses (ii) through (vi) as
clauses (iii) through (vii), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after clause (i) the following:
``(ii) a public library;''; and
(2) in subsection (e)--
(A) in paragraph (2)(B)--
(i) in clause (i), by striking ``and'' at
the end;
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking the
semicolon and inserting ``; and''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(iii) through one or more public
libraries in accordance with paragraph (5);'';
and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Information and services provided through public
libraries.--A local board may use funds made available under
subsection (h) to make programs, activities, and services
available through a public library to the extent such library
demonstrates to the local board--
``(A) that the library provides or will provide
career services or other workforce development
activities to address unmet need for such services or
activities, such as by providing career services and
other workforce development activities to individuals
at days or times, and locations, at which the services
or activities are not otherwise made available through
the corresponding one-stop partners;
``(B) that the library will provide a physical
location within the library, which may include a mobile
library site, in which to serve individuals seeking
services provided by a college and career navigator;
and
``(C) the library's ability to leverage additional
resources, such as staff, facilities, computer access,
or learning materials, in order to extend the level of
services otherwise provided through the local one-stop
delivery system, particularly to geographically distant
communities, communities for which physical one-stop
centers are not easily accessible through public
transportation, or communities in which there is
inadequate access for the level of services needed.''.
(j) Digital Literacy Skills; Information Literacy Skills.--Section
134(c) (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)(A)--
(A) in clause (iii), by inserting ``digital
literacy, information literacy,'' after ``(including
literacy,''; and
(B) in clause (xii)(VI), by inserting ``digital
literacy skills, information literacy skills,'' after
``learning skills,''; and
(2) in paragraph (3)(D)--
(A) by redesignating clauses (x) and (xi) as
clauses (xii) and (xiii), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after clause (ix) the following:
``(x) digital literacy skills training;
``(xi) information literacy skills
training;''.
(k) Library-Based and Community-Based College and Career
Navigators.--Subtitle D of title I is amended by inserting after
section 171 (29 U.S.C. 3226) the following:
``SEC. 171A. LIBRARY-BASED AND COMMUNITY-BASED COLLEGE AND CAREER
NAVIGATORS.
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to expand the
capacity of State and local workforce development systems by leveraging
the facilities and staff of libraries and community-based organizations
to provide career navigation services to individuals through library-
based and community-based college and career navigators.
``(b) Eligible Entity.--In this section, the term `eligible entity'
means a partnership between a State board or local board and 1 or more
of the following:
``(1) A community-based organization.
``(2) A library (as defined in section 213 of the Library
Services and Technology Act (20 U.S.C. 9122)) that offers
workforce development activities at no cost to individuals.
``(c) Grants Authorized.--From funds made available under section
172(g), the Secretary is authorized to make grants to eligible entities
to carry out the purpose of this section.
``(d) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this
section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information
as the Secretary may require.
``(e) Uses of Funds.--
``(1) In general.--An eligible entity that receives a grant
under this section shall use funds made available through the
grant to establish a college and career navigator program
within the library, community-based organization, or agency
that is a partner of such eligible entity.
``(2) Activities of program.--A college and career
navigator program established under paragraph (1) may hire,
train, support, or retain 1 or more college and career
navigators to provide career navigation services in
coordination with a State or local workforce development
system.''.
(l) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 172 (20 U.S.C. 3227)
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(g) Library-Based and Community-Based Navigators.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 171A, $135,000,000
for fiscal year 2026 and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.''.
TITLE II--ADULT EDUCATION AND LITERACY
SEC. 201. PURPOSE.
Section 202(1) of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29
U.S.C. 3271(1)) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(including digital literacy skills and
information literacy skills)'' after ``skills''; and
(2) by striking ``and economic self-sufficiency'' and
inserting ``, economic self-sufficiency, and full participation
in all aspects of adult life''.
SEC. 202. DEFINITIONS.
Section 203 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29
U.S.C. 3272) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``postsecondary level'' and
inserting ``college placement level'';
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' after
the semicolon;
(C) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as
subparagraph (E); and
(D) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the
following:
``(C) develop and use digital literacy skills;
``(D) develop and use information literacy skills;
and'';
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (9) and (10)
through (17) as paragraphs (6) through (12) and (14) through
(21), respectively;
(3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) College placement level.--The term `college placement
level' means the level required for placement in college-level
course work, rather than placement in developmental education,
as demonstrated by achievement of a designated score on a
placement test or other college-identified measure.
``(4) Concurrent enrollment.--The term `concurrent
enrollment' means intentional, simultaneous enrollment in more
than 1 one-stop partner program, as a strategy for leveraging
resources and eliminating duplication of services while
achieving the best possible outcomes.
``(5) Digital literacy skills.--The term `digital literacy
skills' means the skills associated with--
``(A) using technology to enable users to find,
evaluate, organize, create, and communicate
information; and
``(B) developing digital citizenship and the
responsible use of technology.'';
(4) in paragraph (7), as redesignated by paragraph (2), in
subparagraph (C)(i), by striking ``is basic skills deficient''
and inserting ``has foundational skills needs'';
(5) in paragraph (9), as redesignated by paragraph (2), in
subparagraph (B)(i)--
(A) in subclause (I), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(B) in subclause (II), by striking ``or'' and
inserting ``and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(III) development of digital
literacy skills and information
literacy skills; or'';
(6) in paragraph (12), as redesignated by paragraph (2), in
the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting ``and
educational'' after ``in the economic'';
(7) by inserting after paragraph (12), as redesignated by
paragraph (2), the following:
``(13) Information literacy skills.--The term `information
literacy skills' means the set of skills needed to find,
retrieve, understand, evaluate, analyze, discern the
reliability and accuracy of, and effectively use information
(which encompasses spoken and broadcast words and videos,
printed materials, and digital content, data, and images).'';
(8) in paragraph (15), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by
inserting ``(and may be provided concurrently with other
activities and services, such as adult basic education)'' after
``workforce training'';
(9) in paragraph (17), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by
striking ``and solve problems, at levels of proficiency
necessary to function on the job, in the family of the
individual, and in society'' and inserting ``solve problems,
and use digital literacy skills and information literacy skills
at levels of proficiency necessary to function effectively as
an employee, a parent or family member, and a member of
society''; and
(10) in paragraph (21), as redesignated by paragraph (2)--
(A) by inserting ``information literacy skills,''
after ``digital literacy skills,''; and
(B) by striking ``and completion of''.
SEC. 203. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 206 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29
U.S.C. 3275) is amended by striking ``this title'' and all that follows
through the period at the end and inserting ``this title $810,000,000
for fiscal year 2026, $945,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, $1,080,000,000
for fiscal year 2028, $1,215,000,000 for fiscal year 2029, and
$1,350,000,000 for fiscal year 2030.''.
SEC. 204. RESERVATION OF FUNDS.
Section 211 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29
U.S.C. 3291) is amended in subsection (a)(1), by striking
``$15,000,000'' and inserting ``$25,000,000''.
SEC. 205. PERFORMANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM.
Section 212 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29
U.S.C. 3292) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 212. PERFORMANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM.
``(a) In General.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in subsection (b),
programs and activities authorized under this title are subject
to all of the performance accountability provisions described
in section 116.
``(2) Additional measurable skill gains.--With respect to
the application to programs and activities authorized under
this title of the indicator of measurable skill gains under
section 116(b)(2)(A)(i)(IV), such measurable skill gains may
include those relating to the purpose described in section 202.
``(b) Pilot for Innovative Performance Accountability Systems.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall approve an
application from an eligible agency to pilot, for a subset of
eligible providers within its State and as an alternative to
the performance accountability system described in section 116,
an innovative performance accountability system that uses
alternative indicators of performance that have the potential
to more accurately reflect the objectives and adult education
and literacy activities of the eligible providers' programs if
the Secretary determines that an application from such an
eligible agency meets the requirements of this subsection.
``(2) Pilot period.--An eligible agency applying to pilot
an innovative performance accountability system under this
subsection shall propose in its application the period of time
that the agency desires to implement such system, except that
the period shall not exceed 5 years.
``(3) Extension of a pilot period.--The Secretary shall
approve an eligible agency's request to extend the period of a
pilot under this subsection if the Secretary determines that
the innovative performance system is meeting the objectives of
this subsection.
``(4) Application.--
``(A) In general.--An eligible agency desiring to
undertake a pilot under this subsection shall submit an
application at such time and in such manner as the
Secretary may require.
``(B) Contents.--An application described in
subparagraph (A) shall include--
``(i) a description of how the eligible
agency engaged in an outreach process with
eligible providers within its State to--
``(I) inform the eligible providers
of the opportunity to implement a pilot
under this subsection; and
``(II) engage with the eligible
providers in the development of
alternative indicators of performance;
``(ii) an explanation of whether and how
the eligible agency established any standards
or criteria for the alternative measures of
performance that participating eligible
providers could elect to use;
``(iii) a listing of the eligible providers
that will participate in the proposed pilot and
a description of the indicators of performance
that each such provider will make use of
through the pilot;
``(iv) a description of why the eligible
agency and the participating eligible providers
believe the proposed indicators of performance
would more accurately measure the attainment of
the objectives of such providers' adult
education and literacy activities than would
the indicators of performance described in
section 116(b)(2);
``(v) an explanation of how the proposed
indicators of performance will be valid and
reliable measures of education and employment
consistent with purposes of this title;
``(vi) a description of how the eligible
agency will collect, report to the Secretary,
and make publicly available the proposed
indicators of performance from each
participating eligible provider on a timely
basis; and
``(vii) an assurance that the eligible
agency will, at the end of the pilot period,
report to the Secretary on the outcomes of the
pilot, including on whether the eligible agency
met the objectives of the pilot.
``(C) Secretarial review and approval.--The
Secretary shall determine whether to approve an
application under this subsection by not later than 90
days of receiving the application.
``(D) Disapproval.--The Secretary shall not
disapprove an application under this subsection without
giving the applicant the opportunity to revise and
resubmit the application.
``(5) Additional secretarial responsibilities.--The
Secretary shall--
``(A) through the Director of the Institute of
Education Sciences, carry out national evaluations of
the implementation and outcomes of the pilots
authorized under this subsection, with the first such
evaluation to be completed not later than 5 years after
the Secretary approves the first application from an
eligible entity;
``(B) in consultation with the Director of the
Institute of Education Sciences, identify best
practices in the development and implementation of
innovative performance accountability systems under
this subsection;
``(C) disseminate information on those practices,
including by making the information available on the
website of the Department of Education; and
``(D) provide a report to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the
Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of
Representatives on the results of the pilot program,
including a comparison of the outcomes as measured by
the innovative performance accountability systems
implemented under this subsection and the performance
measures described in section 116.''.
SEC. 206. MATCHING REQUIREMENT.
Section 222(b) of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29
U.S.C. 3302(b)) is amended by inserting after paragraph (2) the
following:
``(3) Public availability of information on matching
funds.--Each eligible agency shall maintain, on the website of
such agency and in an easily accessible format, information
documenting the non-Federal contributions made available to
adult education and literacy programs pursuant to this
subsection, including the sources of such contributions and, in
the case of funds made available by the State, the distribution
of such funds to eligible providers.''.
SEC. 207. STATE LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES.
Section 223(a) of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29
U.S.C. 3303(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(C)--
(A) in clause (i), by striking ``programs,'' and
inserting ``, family literacy,''; and
(B) in clause (iii), by inserting ``and expand
options for the education of adults'' after
``efficiencies''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``digital''
after ``implementation of'';
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) through (L)
and subparagraph (M), as subparagraphs (F) through (M)
and subparagraph (O), respectively;
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the
following:
``(E) Developing content and models for family
literacy programs.'';
(D) in subparagraph (J), as redesignated by
subparagraph (B), in clause (i), by striking ``and
English language acquisition'' and inserting ``English
language acquisition, digital literacy skills, and
information literacy skills'';
(E) in subparagraph (K), as redesignated by
subparagraph (B), by inserting ``, such as the
development and retention of policies for credentialing
of adult educators who demonstrate effectiveness''
after ``retention'';
(F) in subparagraph (L), as redesignated by
subparagraph (B)--
(i) by striking ``adult learners with
learning disabilities or'' and inserting
``specific groups of adult learners, such as
those with learning disabilities, those at the
lowest levels of literacy, or those who are'';
and
(ii) by striking ``at the lowest
achievement levels'' and inserting ``in
appropriate and meaningful ways''; and
(G) by inserting after subparagraph (M), as
redesignated by subparagraph (B), the following:
``(N) Strengthening the quality of adult education
and literacy programs in the State through support for
improved credentials, program quality standards, and
certification and accreditation requirements.''.
SEC. 208. GRANTS AND CONTRACTS FOR ELIGIBLE PROVIDERS.
Section 231 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29
U.S.C. 3321) is amended--
(1) in subsection (d), by striking ``subparagraphs (A) and
(B) of section 203(4)'' and inserting ``subparagraphs (A) and
(B) of section 203(8)''; and
(2) in subsection (e)(2), by striking ``learning
disabilities'' and inserting ``learning differences''.
SEC. 209. LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE COST LIMITS.
Section 233(a) of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29
U.S.C. 3323(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and for professional
development'' after ``literacy activities''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``professional
development,''.
SEC. 210. NATIONAL LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES.
Section 242 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29
U.S.C. 3332) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the
following:
``(1) assistance to help States meet the requirements of
section 116 in order to ensure--
``(A) that the outcomes and other data required
pursuant to section 116 are collected and reported in a
timely and accessible manner; and
``(B) that such data are reported consistently
across States and eligible providers and are reviewed
for quality and consistency at the Federal level.'';
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) as
paragraphs (5) through (7), respectively; and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) technical assistance to participating eligible
agencies and eligible providers in implementing innovative
performance accountability systems under section 212(b)(1);
``(3) grants to such agencies and providers to assist them
in implementing such systems;
``(4) carrying out the national evaluations required under
section 212(b)(5)(A);'' and
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(C), by inserting ``skills and
information literacy skills'' after ``digital
literacy''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (C)(vii)--
(I) in the matter preceding
subclause (I), by striking ``best
practices'' and inserting ``effective
practices'';
(II) in subclause (I), by striking
``adults with learning disabilities and
with'' and inserting ``specific
populations, such as adults with
learning differences, adults with the
lowest levels of literacy or numeracy,
adults who are supporting the education
of their children, and'';
(III) by redesignating subclauses
(III) and (IV) as subclauses (IV) and
(V), respectively;
(IV) by inserting after subclause
(II) the following:
``(III) family literacy
programs;''; and
(V) in subclause (IV), as
redesignated by subclause (III), by
inserting ``, including digital
literacy skills and information
literacy skills development'' after
``activities'';
(ii) in subparagraph (D)--
(I) in clause (ii), by inserting
``for themselves and their children''
after ``education and training''; and
(II) in clause (iii), by inserting
``, such as counseling, transportation,
and child care,'' after ``support
services'';
(iii) in subparagraph (F), by striking
``and'' after the semicolon;
(iv) by redesignating subparagraph (G) as
subparagraph (K); and
(v) by inserting after subparagraph (F) the
following:
``(G) developing and rigorously evaluating model
programs for the preparation of highly effective adult
educators;
``(H) carrying out initiatives to support the
professionalization of adult education through the
creation and implementation of full-time staffing
models;
``(I) providing professional development and
technical assistance to adult educators that is
designed to help ensure that adult education and family
literacy programs build pathways to future success for
all adult learners;
``(J) strengthening the quality of adult education
and literacy programs through support for improved
credentials, program quality standards, and
certification and accreditation requirements that
States may adopt on a voluntary basis; and''.
SEC. 211. INTEGRATED ENGLISH LITERACY AND CIVICS EDUCATION.
Section 243 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29
U.S.C. 3333) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``, in combination with
integrated education and training activities''; and
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ``designed'' and all
that follows through the period at the end and inserting the
following: ``designed to prepare adults who are English
learners for full participation in the economic, educational,
and civic life of the community, which may include integration
with the local workforce development system.''.
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