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Department of Education

CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Fiscal Year 2016 Request

CONTENTS

Page

Appropriations language............................................................................................................. N-1

Analysis of Language Provisions and Changes ......................................................................... N-1

Appropriation, Adjustments and Transfers ................................................................................. N-3

Summary of Changes ................................................................................................................. N-4

Authorizing Legislation................................................................................................................ N-5

Appropriations History................................................................................................................. N-6

Summary of Request .................................................................................................................. N-7

Activities:

Career and technical education:

State grants...................................................................................................................... N-10

National programs............................................................................................................ N-22

Adult education:

Adult basic and literacy education State grants............................................................... N-24

National leadership activities ........................................................................................... N-33

State Tables*

*State tables reflecting 2015 allocations and 2016 estimates are posted on the Department’s Web page at: 

http://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/statetables/index.html
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Appropriations language

For carrying out [, to the extent not otherwise provided, the Carl D. Perkins Career and 

Technical Education Act of 2006 and] the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act [("AEFLA"), 

$1,707,686,000] $588,667,000, [of] which [$916,686,000] shall become available on July 1, 

[2015] 2016, and shall remain available through September 30, [2016] 2017 [, and of which

$791,000,000 shall become available on October 1, 2015, and shall remain available through 

September 30, 2016]:

1 Provided, That [of the amount provided for Adult Education State Grants, 

$71,439,000 shall be made available for integrated English literacy and civics education services 

to immigrants and other limited-English-proficient populations: Provided further, That of the 

amount reserved for integrated English literacy and civics education, notwithstanding section 

211 of the AEFLA, 65 percent shall be allocated to States based on a State's absolute need as 

determined by calculating each State's share of a 10-year average of the United States 

Citizenship and Immigration Services data for immigrants admitted for legal permanent 

residence for the 10 most recent years, and 35 percent allocated to States that experienced 

growth as measured by the average of the 3 most recent years for which United States 

Citizenship and Immigration Services data for immigrants admitted for legal permanent 

residence are available, except that no State shall be allocated an amount less than 

$60,000:2 Provided further, That of the amounts made available for AEFLA, $13,712,000]

$19,712,000 shall be for national leadership activities under section [243] 242.

3

(Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2015.)

NOTES

No appropriations language is included for programs authorized under the expired Carl D. Perkins Career and 

Technical Education Act; when new authorizing legislation for the Perkins Act is enacted, a budget request for these 

programs will be proposed.

Each language provision that is followed by a footnote reference is explained in the Analysis of Language 

Provisions and Changes document, which follows the appropriation language.

N-1
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Analysis of Language Provisions and Changes

Language Provision Explanation

1 For carrying out[, to the extent not otherwise 

provided, the Carl D. Perkins Career and 

Technical Education Act of 2006 and] the 

Adult Education and Family Literacy Act 

[("AEFLA"), $1,707,686,000] $588,667,000, 

[of] which [$916,686,000] shall become 

available on July 1, [2015] 2016, and shall 

remain available through September 30,

[2016] 2017 [, and of which $791,000,000 

shall become available on October 1, 2015, 

and shall remain available through 

September 30, 2016]:

This language provides for funds 

appropriated on a forward-funded basis for 

Adult Education programs. The language

also makes a portion of the funds 

appropriated for Career and Technical 

Education State Grants available on an 

advance-funded basis.

2 Provided, That [of the amount provided for 

Adult Education State Grants, $71,439,000 

shall be made available for integrated English 

literacy and civics education services to 

immigrants and other limited-Englishproficient populations: Provided further, That 

of the amount reserved for integrated English 

literacy and civics education, notwithstanding 

section 211 of the AEFLA, 65 percent shall 

be allocated to States based on a State's 

absolute need as determined by calculating 

each State's share of a 10-year average of 

the United States Citizenship and 

Immigration Services data for immigrants 

admitted for legal permanent residence for 

the 10 most recent years, and 35 percent 

allocated to States that experienced growth 

as measured by the average of the 3 most 

recent years for which United States 

Citizenship and Immigration Services data for 

immigrants admitted for legal permanent 

residence are available, except that no State 

shall be allocated an amount less than 

$60,000:]

This language reserves funds from the Adult 

Education State Grants appropriation for 

English Literacy and Civics Education State 

Grants and specifies an allocation formula for 

awarding those grants. The reauthorized 

Adult Education and Family Literacy Act

codifies these grants and the formula, 

thereby making this appropriations language 

obsolete.

3 [Provided further, That of the amounts 

made available for AEFLA, $13,712,000]

$19,712,000 shall be for national leadership 

activities under section [243] 242.

This language provides a specific amount for 

National Leadership Activities authorized 

under section 242 of the Adult Education and 

Family Literacy Act, overriding the statutory 

set-aside of 2 percent of the Adult Education 

appropriation (not to exceed $15 million).

N-2
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Analysis of Language Provisions and Changes

Appropriation, Adjustments and Transfers

(dollars in thousands)

Appropriation/Adjustments/Transfers 2014 2015 2016

Discretionary:

DiscretionaryAppropriation................................................................ $1,702,686 $1,707,686 $1,915,686

Advance:

Advance for succeeding fiscal year......................... -791,000 -791,000 -791,000

Advance from prior year........................................... 791,000 791,000 791,000

Total, budget authority......................................... 1,702,686 1,707,686 1,915,686

N-3
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Analysis of Language Provisions and Changes

Summary of Changes

(dollars in thousands)

2015..................................................................................................... $1,707,686

2016..................................................................................................... 1,915,686

Net change .................................................................. +208,000

Increases: 2015 base

Change 

from base

Program:

Increase for Career and Technical Education (CTE) State Grants to 

make competitive grants for the American Technical Training Fund

to support the development, operation and expansion of innovative, 

evidence-based job training programs in high-demand fields that 

provide a path to the middle class for low-income individuals. $1,117,598 +$200,000

Increase for Career and Technical Education National Programs to 

provide technical assistance and evaluation support for projects 

under the American Technical Training Fund proposal. 7,421 +2,000

Increase for Adult Education National Leadership Activities to 

support States in their efforts to improve adult education standards 

and assessments and to carry out data collection activities during 

the first year of full implementation of the reauthorized Adult 

Education programs.

 

13,712 +6,000

Net change +208,000

N-4
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Analysis of Language Provisions and Changes

Authorizing Legislation

(dollars in thousands)

2015 2015 2016 2016

Activity Authorized Estimate Authorized Request

Career and technical education (Carl D. Perkins 

CTEA):

CTAE State grants (CTEA Title I) 01 $1,117,598 To be determined1 $1,317,598

CTAE National programs (CTEA Section 114) 01 7,421 To be determined 1 9,421

Adult education (Adult Education and Family Literacy 

Act (AEFLA)):

AEFLA Adult basic and literacy education State grants 

(AEFLA) $577,6672,3 568,955 $622,2862,3 568,955

AEFLA National leadership activities (AEFLA section 242) (2,3) 13,712 (2,3) 19,712

Unfunded authorizations

UA Grants to States for workplace and community 

transition training for incarcerated individuals (HE 

Amendments of 1998, Title VIII-D) Indefinite 0 Indefinite 0

UA Occupational and employment information (CTEA 

section 118) Indefinite 0 Indefinite 0

UA Tech prep education State grants (CTEA Title II) Indefinite 0 Indefinite 0

Total definite authorization 577,667 0 622,286 0

Total annual appropriation 1,707,686 1,915,686

1 The GEPA extension expired September 30, 2013; reauthorizing legislation is sought for FY 2016. 2 A total of $577,677 thousand is authorized for both Adult Basic and Literacy Education State Grants and National Leadership Activities in FY 2015 and 

$622,286 thousand for FY 2016. 3 Section 211(a) of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act requires that, of the funds appropriated for Adult Education, the Department reserve 

2 percent, not to exceed $15 million, for National Leadership Activities; and 12 percent of the remaining funds for Integrated English Literacy and Civics 

Education.

N-5
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Appropriations History

(dollars in thousands)

Year

Budget Estimate 

to Congress

House 

Allowance Footnote

Senate 

Allowance Footnote Appropriation Footnote

2007 $579,552 N/A1 N/A1 $1,992,170

(2007 Advance for 2008) (791,000) (791,000)

2008 1,189,808 $2,038,220 $1,894,788 1,941,642

(2008 Advance for 2009) (791,000)

2009 574,590 1,951,6112 1,863,1622 1,944,348

(2009 Advance for 2010) (791,000)

2010 2,018,447 2,016,447 2,018,4473 1,928,447

(2010 Advance for 2011) (791,000) (791,000) (791,000) (791,000)

2011 1,942,707 1,991,4474 1,942,5413 1,737,4515

(2011 Advance for 2012) (791,000) (791,000) (791,000) (791,000)

Rescission (P.L. 112-74) -(1,495)

2012 1,683,392 1,738,9466 1,738,9466 1,737,154

(2012 Advance for 2013) (791,000) (791,000) (791,000) (791,000)

2013 1,737,154 1,737,1547 1,737,1547 1,646,533

(2013 Advance for 2014) (791,000) (791,000) (791,000) (791,000)

2014 1,750,154 N/A81,737,949 1,702,686

(2014 Advance for 2015) (791,000) (791,000) (791,000)

2015 1,722,686 N/A81,720,9399 1,707,686

(2015 Advance for 2016) (791,000) (791,000) (791,000)

2016 1,915,686

(2016 Advance for 2017) (791,000)

1 This account operated under a full-year continuing resolution (P.L. 110-5). House and Senate allowances are 

shown as N/A (Not Available) because neither body passed a separate appropriations bill. 2 The levels for the House and Senate allowances reflect action on the regular annual 2009 appropriations bill, 

which proceeded in the 110th Congress only through the House Subcommittee and the Senate Committee. 3

 The level for the Senate allowance reflects Committee action only. 4

 The level for the House allowance reflects the House-passed full-year continuing resolution. 5

 The level for appropriation reflects the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 

2011 (P.L. 112-10). 6

 The level for the House allowance reflects an introduced bill and the level for the Senate allowance reflects 

Senate Committee action only. 7

 The levels for the House and Senate allowances reflect action on the regular annual 2013 appropriations bill, 

which proceeded in the 112th Congress only through the House Subcommittee and the Senate Committee. 8

 The House allowance is shown as N/A because there was no Subcommittee action. 9

 The level for the Senate allowance reflects Senate Subcommittee action only.

N-6
ACCOUNT

Summary of Request

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FISCAL YEAR 2016 PRESIDENT'S BUDGET 

Click here for accessible version 

(in thousands of dollars) 2016

Category 2014 2015 President's 

Account, Program and Activity Code Appropriation Appropriation Budget Amount Percent

Career, Technical, and Adult Education

1. Career and technical education (Carl D. Perkins CTEA):

(a) State grants (Title I)

Annual appropriation D 326,598 326,598 526,598 200,000 61.237%

Advance for succeeding fiscal year D 791,000 791,000 791,000 0 0.000%

Subtotal 1,117,598 1,117,598 1,317,598 200,000 17.896%

(b) National programs (section 114) D 7,421 7,421 9,421 2,000 26.951%

Subtotal, Career and technical education 1,125,019 1,125,019 1,327,019 202,000 17.955%

2. Adult education:

(a) Adult basic and literacy education State grants (AEFLA) D 563,955 568,955 568,955 0 0.000%

(b) National leadership activities (AEFLA section 242) D 13,712 13,712 19,712 6,000 43.757%

Subtotal, Adult education 577,667 582,667 588,667 6,000 1.030%

Total, Appropriation D 1,702,686 1,707,686 1,915,686 208,000 12.180%

Total, Budget authority D 1,702,686 1,707,686 1,915,686 208,000 12.180%

Current 911,686 916,686 1,124,686 208,000 22.690%

Prior year's advance 791,000 791,000 791,000 0 0.000%

NOTES: D = discretionary program; M = mandatory program; FY = fiscal year 

Accounts are shown under the administering office that has primary responsibility for most programs in that account; however, there may be some programs that are administered by another office.

Detail may not add to totals due to rounding. 

2016 President's Budget 

Compared to 2015 Appropriation

N-7
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Summary of Request

Programs in the Career, Technical, and Adult Education account further the efforts of States and 

communities to improve their career and technical education programs and their adult education 

and literacy systems. The objective of the career and technical education programs is to 

develop the academic, career, and technical skills of youth and adults in high schools, 

community colleges, and correctional institutions by: (1) helping States develop challenging 

standards, (2) promoting the integration of academic, career, and technical instruction, and (3) 

supporting State and local program improvements. Adult education programs support local 

efforts to provide educational services to adults who lack the basic or English literacy skills 

needed for them to benefit fully from job training, obtain better jobs, complete secondary 

education, succeed in postsecondary education, and become full participants in their children’s 

education. The request for the Career and Technical Education programs would support 

program implementation under a reauthorized Perkins Act as outlined in the proposal the 

Department published in April 2012, “Investing in America’s Future: A Blueprint for Transforming

Career and Technical Education.” Adult Education programs would be funded under the 

recently reauthorized Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA).

The Administration requests a total of $1.9 billion for this account. This request includes 

$1.3 billion for Career and Technical Education State Grants and $9.4 million for Career and 

Technical Education National Programs. The request also includes $569.0 million for Adult 

Education State Grants, and $19.7 million for Adult Education National Leadership 

Activities.

The request for the Career and Technical Education (CTE) State Grants program would 

support the first year of activity under a reauthorized Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical 

Education Act that would seek to ensure that all CTE programs become viable and rigorous 

pathways to postsecondary education and career success. The Administration’s reauthorization 

proposal would increase the alignment between CTE and labor market needs, strengthen 

collaboration among secondary and postsecondary CTE programs and business and industry,

create a better accountability system, and provide competitive funding modeled after the 

Investing in Innovation (i3) program to promote innovation and reform in CTE. The request for a 

$200 million increase under State Grants would support competitive grants for the American 

Technical Training Fund to support the development, operation, and expansion of innovative, 

evidence-based job training programs in high-demand fields that provide a path to the middle 

class for low-income individuals.

The request for Career and Technical Education National Programs would support 

implementation of a reauthorized Perkins Act through research, evaluation, data collection, 

technical assistance, and other national leadership activities aimed at improving the quality and 

effectiveness of career and technical education. The $2 million increase would provide technical 

assistance and evaluation support for projects under the American Technical Training Fund 

proposal included in the request for CTE State Grants.

The request for Adult Education State Grants would support the Department’s ongoing efforts 

to assist adults in becoming literate and in obtaining the knowledge and skills necessary for 

employment and self-sufficiency, assist adults who are parents in obtaining the educational skills 

necessary to become full partners in the educational development of their children, and assist 

adults in the completion of a secondary education. The Adult Education State Grants request 

also includes continuation of English Literacy/Civics Education State Grants (codified under the 

N-8
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Summary of Request—continued

reauthorized AEFLA) to support the unmet needs of immigrants learning English. This program 

helps States and communities provide adult English Learners with expanded access to highquality English literacy programs linked to civics education.

The request for Adult Education National Leadership Activities will continue to support 

activities intended to increase the literacy and workforce skills of our Nation’s native-born adult 

population, as well as the ongoing need to address the English language acquisition, literacy, 

and workforce skills gaps of the immigrant population. The requested increase of $6.0 million 

will support States in their efforts to improve adult education standards and assessments and to 

carry out data collection activities during the first year of full implementation of the reauthorized 

Adult Education programs.

N-9
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Activities:

Career and technical education: 

Career and technical education: State grants 

(Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, Title I)

(dollars in thousands)

FY 2016 Authorization: To be determined1

Budget Authority: 

Activity and period of fund availability

2015 2016 Change

Annual appropriation $326,598 $526,598 +$200,000

Advance for succeeding fiscal year 791,000 791,000 0

Total 1,117,598 1,317,598 +$200,000

_________________

1 The GEPA extension expired September 30, 2013; reauthorizing legislation is sought for FY 2016.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins IV), State 

Grants for Career and Technical Education (CTE) assist States and Outlying Areas in expanding 

and improving career and technical education in high schools, technical schools, and community 

colleges. Each State uses program funds to support a variety of career and technical education 

programs developed in accordance with its State plan. 

The Department allocates funds to States, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 

the Virgin Islands, through a formula based on State per-capita income and population in three 

age cohorts (15-19, 20-24, and 25-65). The formula provides for a minimum State allocation of 

at least 0.5 percent of the total appropriation, and a “hold-harmless” provision in the formula 

ensures that no State’s share of the appropriation is less than its share of the fiscal year 1998 

appropriation. A special provision limits the increase a State with an initial allocation of the 

0.5 percent minimum may receive, resulting in a number of States that receive an allocation of 

less than 0.5 percent of the total. If appropriations result in the amount of funds for allocation to 

States exceeding the amount of funds allocated to States from the fiscal year 2006 

appropriation, up to one-third of the additional funds is to be allotted to States with fiscal year 

2006 grant awards that were less than the minimum 0.5 percent grant amount and the 

remainder is to flow to the other States. 

In addition, the Pacific territories receive 0.13 percent of the total appropriated for State Grants 

to operate the same kinds of career and technical education programs as the States. Within 

that set-aside, Guam receives $660,000, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands 

each receive $350,000, and Palau receives $160,000. Any remaining funds are distributed 

among Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands in equal shares. Also, 

1.25 percent of the total appropriation for State Grants is set aside for grants to federally 

recognized Indian tribes and tribal organizations, and 0.25 percent is set aside for competitive 

grants to organizations that primarily serve and represent Hawaiian Natives.

N-10
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Career and technical education: State grants

Under the statute:

• Programs must, among other things, integrate academic and career and technical education, 

promote student attainment of challenging academic and career and technical standards, 

provide strong linkages between secondary and postsecondary education, and provide 

professional development for teachers, counselors, and administrators.

• States and local recipients must offer at least one program of study. Programs of study are 

coherent sequences of non-duplicative CTE courses that progress from the secondary to the 

postsecondary level, include rigorous and challenging academic content along with career 

and technical content, and lead to an industry-recognized credential or certificate at the 

postsecondary level or to an associate or baccalaureate degree. 

• The Secretary and each State must reach agreement on annual levels of performance for a 

number of “core indicators” specified in the law. 

o The core indicators for secondary education programs focus on student attainment of 

challenging academic standards, as measured by attainment of the proficient level or 

above on the statewide assessments required under Title I of the Elementary and 

Secondary Education Act (ESEA); high school graduation; student attainment of career 

and technical skill proficiencies; student attainment of a secondary school diploma or its 

recognized equivalent, or a proficiency credential in conjunction with a secondary school 

diploma; student placement in postsecondary education, advanced training, military 

service, or employment; and student participation in and completion of career and 

technical education programs that lead to employment in fields that are traditionally 

dominated by one gender.

o The core indicators for postsecondary education programs focus on student attainment 

of challenging career and technical skill proficiencies; student attainment of an industryrecognized credential, certificate, or degree; student retention in postsecondary 

education or transfer to a baccalaureate degree program; student placement in the 

military or in apprenticeship programs, or placement or retention in employment; and 

student participation in and completion of career and technical education programs that 

lead to employment in fields that are traditionally dominated by one gender.

• At least 85 percent of State Grant funds must be allocated by formula to local educational 

agencies (LEAs) and postsecondary institutions, and a State may reserve up to 10 percent 

of those funds to make grant awards to local agencies in rural areas and areas with high 

percentages or high numbers of career and technical education students. 

• States may use up to 10 percent of their allocations to carry out State leadership activities, 

such as professional development, expanding the use of technology, assessing career and 

technical education services, furthering the integration of academic and career and technical 

education in order to improve student achievement, preparing students for employment in 

fields that are traditionally dominated by one gender, delivering career and technical 

education in correctional institutions, and providing services for special populations

designated in the statute.

N-11
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Career and technical education: State grants

This is a forward-funded program that includes advance appropriations. A portion of the funds 

becomes available for obligation on July 1 of the fiscal year in which the funds are appropriated 

and remains available for 15 months through September 30 of the following year. The remaining

funds become available on October 1 of the fiscal year following the year of appropriation and 

remain available for 12 months, expiring at the same time as the forward-funded portion. 

Funding levels for the past 5 fiscal years were:

Fiscal Year (dollars in thousands)

2011......................................................... $1,122,164

2012........................................................... 1,123,030

2013........................................................... 1,064,446

2014........................................................... 1,117,598

2015........................................................... 1,117,598

FY 2016 BUDGET REQUEST

For fiscal year 2016, the Administration requests $1.3 billion for the Career and Technical 

Education (CTE) State Grants program under a reauthorized Carl D. Perkins Career and 

Technical Education Act, an increase of $200 million over the 2015 appropriation. The request

would provide $1.1 billion for a State formula program and $200 million for a grant competition 

for an American Technical Training Fund under a proposed CTE Innovation Fund. The 

Department’s reauthorization proposal, “Investing in America’s Future: A Blueprint for 

Transforming Career and Technical Education,” was released in April 2012 and includes 

changes that would help ensure that all students exit their CTE programs well prepared for 

further education or employment in high-skill and high-demand occupations, including for 

technical jobs that are currently going unfilled. The reauthorization proposal would also support 

reaching the President’s goals that: (1) every student graduates from high school college- and 

career-ready, and (2) the United States again leads the world in college completion by 2020.

The $200 million request for the American Technical Training Fund would provide competitive 

grants to support the development, operation, and expansion of innovative, evidence-based job 

training programs in high-demand fields that provide a path to the middle class for low-income 

individuals. Projects would emphasize strong employer partnerships, work-based learning 

opportunities, accelerated training, and flexible scheduling for students to accommodate parttime work. Lead partners would be community colleges, other training institutions, or these 

entities in partnership with secondary programs, in consortia that must include industry 

organizations, employers, workforce investment boards, and economic development agencies. 

Other partners may include nonprofit organizations, academics, and other organizations or 

individuals with relevant expertise. Programs also would include articulation agreements for 

credit transfer from the secondary through postsecondary levels, including 4-year institutions of 

higher education.

The Department would encourage applications from regional or content-area consortia of 

community colleges, training programs, and secondary schools. The Department would make 

tiered awards, with smaller grants for initial start-up of programs and larger grants for expansion 

of existing models, particularly those with evidence of effectiveness, which could include past 

N-12
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Career and technical education: State grants

performance on graduation rates, job placement rates, and wages earned by graduates. The 

initial award period would be 3 years, with up to 2 additional years of funding available 

depending on project performance and effectiveness. Grantees would be required to conduct 

independent evaluations of their programs, to build evidence of what works in CTE and in shortterm or accelerated training programs. The request for Career and Technical Education 

National Programs also includes $2 million to provide technical assistance and evaluation 

support to grantees under this competition. This initiative would be jointly administered by ED 

and the Department of Labor.

Findings from the Final Report to Congress on the National Assessment of Career and 

Technical Education (NACTE), published in September 2014, show that CTE plays an important 

role in both secondary and postsecondary students’ educational experiences. The majority of 

high school students participate in CTE, but the intensity of their experience in CTE programs 

varies. While CTE programs are widely available to students and many students take at least 

one CTE course during high school, only about one-fifth of students had earned at least three 

high school credits in the same CTE field. Participation in postsecondary CTE programs and 

attainment of postsecondary CTE credentials matters. Postsecondary students who earned a 

CTE certificate or associate’s degree were more likely to be employed than those who did not 

earn a subbaccalaureate credential, and students who earned an undergraduate certificate or 

associate’s degree had higher earnings than high school graduates with no postsecondary 

education. However, the current distribution of Federal CTE funds does not reflect these 

findings on the important role of postsecondary education in CTE. On average, States distribute 

60 percent of Perkins funds to secondary CTE programs and 40 percent to postsecondary 

programs. 

The blueprint for reauthorization of the Perkins Act proposes statutory reforms to both address 

the current program’s shortcomings and transform it. As the NACTE points out, it has been 

difficult to determine the program’s effectiveness and to hold States accountable for 

performance under the current Perkins Act, in part because States can establish their own 

definitions, performance measures, and goals. Furthermore, the current structure of the CTE 

State Grants program—with funds allocated from States to local secondary and postsecondary 

recipients separately and by formula—lacks the adequate linkages between secondary schools, 

postsecondary institutions, and employers that is necessary to promote effectiveness. The 

blueprint proposes strategies based on evidence that high-quality CTE programs can have a 

significant, positive impact on student achievement, high school graduation, transition to college, 

college completion rates, and labor market outcomes. Our proposal seeks to: 

• Strengthen collaboration among secondary and postsecondary CTE programs and business 

and industry. Under our reauthorization proposal, in place of separate within-State formula 

allocations to secondary and postsecondary programs, States would make competitive 

grants to consortia of secondary and postsecondary institutions, thus strengthening the 

linkage between secondary and postsecondary education while also directing funds to 

programs with the strongest and most proven strategies for delivering CTE, including 

strategies for serving all students. Because employer involvement is also key to ensuring 

that CTE programs are aligned with workforce needs and give students work-based learning 

opportunities, consortia would be required to include relevant employers within each career 

N-13
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Career and technical education: State grants

pathway. Finally, each State would be required to obtain matching funds from the private 

sector through its grantees. 

• Create a better accountability system. The current accountability system does not provide 

valid, reliable, or comparable information about whether CTE programs are accomplishing 

their goals because States determine how their own performance will be measured. Nor 

does it create a basis for recognizing and expanding the most successful programs or 

identifying ineffective programs and taking action to improve them. The Administration’s 

proposal would move States toward common definitions for performance measures including 

measures that would hold States accountable for providing students participating in CTE 

programs with access to postsecondary education and increasing students’ attainment of a 

postsecondary credential, certificate, or degree. In addition, the reauthorized Perkins Act 

would create financial incentives for good performance as well as consequences for poor 

performance.

• Increase alignment between CTE and labor market needs. Our reauthorization proposal 

would require States and local agencies to work with workforce and economic development 

agencies and other partners to identify in-demand occupations in high-growth industry 

sectors to ensure that CTE programs are aligned with and provide students with the skills 

they need to succeed in these occupations.

• Promote innovation and reform in CTE. A key to improving the effectiveness and impact of 

CTE programs is expanding the knowledge base of effective practices by promoting the 

development, evaluation, and scaling up of innovations in CTE. Building on the 

Department’s successful experience with the Investing in Innovation (i3) program, the 

reauthorization would support a discretionary fund aimed at promoting innovation and reform 

in CTE and replicating the success of proven models. The request would fund a competition 

under this authority for an American Technical Training Fund. An innovation fund dedicated 

to CTE would be unique because it would allow for projects that focus on the alignment and 

articulation between secondary and postsecondary education. A particular emphasis of the 

fund would be to promote employer involvement and linkages to workforce needs in CTE 

programs under the Perkins Act as well as projects that focus on both labor market and 

educational outcomes. By providing incentives to partnerships between CTE programs and 

business and industry, this competitive fund would generate critical innovations that can help 

students acquire technical skills and obtain credentials or degrees that prepare them for 

high-wage, high-skill employment. Future funding could also support activities to promote 

the development and adoption of State-level reforms in CTE and to carry out “pay-forsuccess” projects.

A reauthorized CTE State Grants program will help provide better opportunities for students to 

graduate from high school and exit postsecondary education with the skills to succeed in today’s 

economy. By addressing a persistent skills gap in the employment market, the program will help 

strengthen the U.S. economy and its global competitiveness while increasing the employment 

rate. 

A 2011 survey of manufacturing executives by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute, entitled 

“Boiling Point? The Skills Gap in U.S. Manufacturing,” found that 67 percent of respondents 

N-14
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Career and technical education: State grants

reported a moderate to severe shortage of available qualified workers and 80 percent 

anticipated that the shortage would grow worse in the next 3 to 5 years for skilled production 

occupations such as machinists, operators, craft workers, distributors, and technicians. This 

skills gap is affecting American productivity. Fifty-one percent of respondents said that they had 

experienced difficulty maintaining production levels consistent with customer demand because 

of workforce shortages or employee skill deficiencies. 

Moreover, the demand for skilled workers is not likely to decrease. More than two-thirds of 

respondents to the 2011 survey believed that the most important issue for their companies’ 

business success in the next 3 to 5 years was having a highly skilled, flexible workforce. The 

Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce projects that low-skill jobs will 

not come back during or after the United States’ economic recovery. Rather, as has happened 

in past economic downturns, new technologies will likely emerge to increase efficiency, and 

these technologies will require skilled workers to operate them. The reauthorization proposal is 

designed to help ensure that American workers have these skills. 

The Department expects to propose revisions to the State allocation formula as part of the 

reauthorization proposal in order to improve and simplify the process for calculating allocations 

and to ensure that the formula drives funds to States based on current data. 

PROGRAM OUTPUT MEASURES (dollars in thousands)

Measures 2014 2015 2016

Formula funds:

State grants $1,099,382 $1,099,382 $1,099,382

Range of awards to States $567-$122,944 $567-$122,944 $567-$122,944

Territories allocation $1,452 $1,452 $1,452

Indian set-aside $13,970 $13,970 $13,970

Number of grants 31 31 31

Native Hawaiian grant $2,794 $2,794 $2,794

Number of grants 7 7 7

American technical training fund:

Amount for innovation and 

reform grants

0 0 $198,000

Number of new awards 0 0 20-60

Number of training sites 0 0 40-100

Range of awards 0 0 $3,000-$15,000

Peer review of applications 0 0 $2,000

PROGRAM PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Performance Measures

This section presents selected program information, including GPRA goals, objectives, 

measures, and performance targets and data; and an assessment of the progress made toward 

N-15
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Career and technical education: State grants

achieving program results. Achievement of program results is based on the cumulative effect of 

the resources provided in previous years and those requested in FY 2016 and future years, as 

well as the resources and efforts invested by those served by this program.

Goal: Increase access to and improve educational programs that strengthen education 

achievement, workforce preparation, and lifelong learning.

Objective: Ensure that secondary and postsecondary CTE concentrators, including special 

populations, meet rigorous academic standards, attain technical skills, and make successful 

transitions to further education and employment.

Measure: The percentage of CTE concentrators scoring at the proficient level or above on 

State reading/language arts assessments.

Year Target Percentage Actual Percentage

2011 70% 75%

2012 71 75

2013 76 77

2014 77

2015 77

2016 77

Measure: The percentage of CTE concentrators scoring at the proficient level or above on 

State mathematics assessments.

Year Target Percentage Actual Percentage

2011 64% 70%

2012 65 71

2013 72 72

2014 72

2015 72

2016 72

Measure: The percentage of CTE concentrators who graduated in the reporting year.

Year Target Percentage Actual Percentage

2011 91% 90%

2012 91 92

2013 91 93

2014 91

2015 93

2016 93

N-16
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Career and technical education: State grants

Additional information: The Department has defined a secondary CTE concentrator in nonregulatory guidance as a secondary student who has earned three or more credits in a single 

CTE program area (e.g., health care or business services), or two credits in a single CTE 

program area, but only in those program areas where two-credit sequences at the secondary 

level are recognized by the State and/or its local eligible recipients. However, States have 

authority under the Perkins statute to set definitions for performance measures, and they 

generally do so. As required in the statute, States measure reading/language arts and 

mathematics achievement by determining the percentage of CTE concentrators (of those who 

took State assessments) who attained a level of proficient or advanced on the assessments 

administered by the State under Title I of ESEA. Performance targets are averages of the 

performance targets the Department negotiated with individual State agencies. The source of 

data is the Consolidated Annual Report that State agencies submit to the Department. Note that 

many CTE students take the State assessments before they begin their coursework in CTE (i.e., 

in 9th or 10th grade).

The percentage of CTE concentrators who graduate from high school is obtained by extracting 

data on the CTE students who were included in the State’s computation of the graduation rate 

as required under ESEA Title I. This rate has been higher than the average graduation rate for 

all students. Data for 2014 will be available in May 2015. 

Measure: The percentage of secondary CTE concentrators attaining technical skills.

Year Target Percentage Actual Percentage

2011 81% 76%

2012 82 79

2013 82 82

2014 78

2015 80

2016 80

Measure: The percentage of secondary CTE concentrators earning a diploma, a GED, or a 

proficiency credential in conjunction with a secondary school diploma.

Year Target Percentage Actual Percentage

2011 85% 95%

2012 86 94

2013 94 94

2014 94

2015 95

2016 95

N-17
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Career and technical education: State grants

Measure: The percentage of secondary CTE concentrators placed in postsecondary 

education, advanced training, military service, or employment.

Year Target Percentage Actual Percentage

2011 87% 81%

2012 88 84

2013 81 83

2014 82

2015 85

2016 85

Measure: The percentage of secondary CTE concentrators participating in programs in 

nontraditional fields.

Year Target Percentage Actual Percentage

2011 31% 35%

2012 32 37

2013 31 37

2014 32

2015 38

2016 38

Measure: The percentage of secondary CTE concentrators completing programs leading to 

nontraditional fields.

Year Target Percentage Actual Percentage

2011 20% 35%

2012 21 37

2013 30 38

2014 32

2015 38

2016 38

Measure: The percentage of postsecondary CTE concentrators attaining technical skills. 

Year Target Percentage Actual Percentage

2011 69% 82%

2012 70 83

2013 82 81

2014 83

2015 84

2016 84

N-18
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Career and technical education: State grants

Measure: The percentage of postsecondary CTE concentrators earning an industryrecognized credential, certificate, or degree.

Year Target Percentage Actual Percentage

2011 58% 54%

2012 60 53

2013 56 50

2014 58

2015 58

2016 58

Measure: The percentage of postsecondary CTE concentrators remaining in postsecondary 

education or transferring to a baccalaureate program.

Year Target Percentage Actual Percentage

2011 60% 71%

2012 62 70

2013 60 69

2014 73

2015 73

2016 73

Measure: The percentage of postsecondary CTE concentrators placed in military service, 

employment, or apprenticeships. 

Year Target Percentage Actual Percentage

2011 75% 75%

2012 76 73

2013 74 74

2014 75

2015 75

2016 75

Measure: The percentage of postsecondary CTE concentrators participating in nontraditional 

programs.

Year Target Percentage Actual Percentage

2011 21% 23%

2012 22 24

2013 23 24

2014 24

2015 25

2016 25

N-19
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Career and technical education: State grants

Measure: The percentage of postsecondary CTE concentrators completing nontraditional 

programs.

Year Target Percentage Actual Percentage

2011 17% 20%

2012 18 21

2013 19 21

2014 21

2015 22

2016 22

Additional information: Performance targets are based on the performance targets the 

Department negotiates with each State. In order to encourage consistency in how States collect 

data for the performance indicators, the Department published non-regulatory guidance 

providing suggested measures, measurement approaches, and data definitions for each 

indicator. However, not every State has opted to adopt the Department’s suggested 

approaches. The Department has defined a postsecondary CTE concentrator in non-regulatory 

guidance as a postsecondary or adult student who: (1) completes at least 12 academic or CTE 

credits within a single program area sequence that is comprised of 12 or more academic and 

technical credits and terminates in the award of an industry-recognized credential, a certificate, 

or a degree; or (2) completes a short-term CTE program sequence of less than 12 credit units 

that terminates in an industry-recognized credential, a certificate, or a degree. While the 

Department continues to work with States and provide technical assistance on improving the 

quality of performance data, the data that the States currently submit have limited validity. 

The Perkins Act defines nontraditional fields as occupations or fields of work, including careers 

in computer science, technology, and other current and emerging high-skill occupations, for 

which individuals from one gender comprise less than 25 percent of the individuals employed in 

each such occupation or field of work. Performance targets are averages of the performance 

targets the Department negotiated with individual State agencies. Data for 2014 will be available 

in May 2015.

Efficiency measures

The Department has adopted Federal cost per participant as the efficiency measure for 

secondary participants in the program. This is also the efficiency measure included in the job 

training common measures adopted by the Department and other Agencies. The efficiency 

measure for postsecondary students is the Federal cost per postsecondary CTE concentrator 

placed or retained in employment, placed in military service, or entering apprenticeships after 

leaving postsecondary education.

Although the Department is able to calculate this measure at the national and State levels, State 

definitions of participants vary, limiting the validity and reliability of comparisons across States. 

The Department started calculating the postsecondary cost measure in 2009. Data for fiscal 

year 2014 will be available in late 2015.

N-20
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Career and technical education: State grants

Measure: Federal cost per student.

Year Cost per secondary student

2009 $75

2010 74

2011 80

2012 79

2013 76

Measure: Federal cost per postsecondary CTE concentrator placed or retained in 

employment, placed in military service, or entering apprenticeships after leaving postsecondary 

education.

Year Cost per postsecondary student

2009 $107

2010 107

2011 119

2012 115

2013 114

N-21
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Career and technical education: National programs

(Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, Section 114)

(dollars in thousands)

FY 2016 Authorization: To be determined1

Budget Authority: 

2015 2016 Change

$7,421 $9,421 $2,000

_________________

1 The GEPA extension expired September 30, 2013. Reauthorizing legislation is sought for FY 2016.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins IV) includes an 

authority for National Programs to support research, development, demonstration, 

dissemination, evaluation, and assessment activities aimed at improving the quality and 

effectiveness of career and technical education (CTE). Within this authority, Perkins IV 

specifically calls for the operation of a national center to carry out scientifically based research in 

career and technical education and for a national assessment of career and technical education 

programs operated under the Act. The Department used National Programs funds from fiscal 

years 2005 through 2008 to carry out this national assessment and submitted a final report on 

the National Assessment of Career and Technical Education to Congress in September 2014. 

National Programs funds currently support the National Career and Technical Education 

Research Center and activities to assist States in implementing key provisions of the Perkins 

Act, such as the requirement that States implement at least one “program of study” that provides 

a coherent sequence of courses that links secondary and postsecondary education, provides 

rigorous and challenging content, and leads to a degree or an industry-recognized credential. 

This is a forward-funded program. Funds become available for obligation from July 1 of the 

fiscal year in which they are appropriated and remain available through September 30 of the 

following year.

Funding levels for the past 5 fiscal years were: 

Year (dollars in thousands)

2011 ...............................................................$7,844

2012 ................................................................. 7,829

2013 ................................................................. 7,421

2014 ................................................................. 7,421

2015 ................................................................. 7,421

N-22
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Career and technical education: National programs

FY 2016 BUDGET REQUEST

For fiscal year 2016, the Administration requests $9.4 million for Career and Technical 

Education National Programs, a $2.0 million increase over the 2015 appropriation. This funding 

would support implementation of the reauthorized Perkins Act (described in the Administration’s 

“Blueprint for Transforming Career and Technical Education,” announced in April 2012) through 

research, evaluation, data collection, technical assistance, and other national leadership 

activities aimed at improving the quality and effectiveness of career and technical education. 

The reauthorization proposal calls for revising the current National Programs authority to make it 

a more effective vehicle for funding research and evaluation along with other activities that 

support implementation of new requirements within the reauthorized program. As one example, 

a broader research authority would help the Department pursue the research questions that are 

most relevant and important for the improvement of career and technical education. Further, the 

areas that the statute currently designates for evaluation have focused mainly on implementation 

issues. The broader authority proposed for reauthorization would allow the Department to

examine the effectiveness of CTE programs.

The Department would reserve $2.0 million from the requested to provide technical assistance 

and evaluation support for projects under the $200 million American Technical Training Fund 

proposal described under the request for CTE State Grants. This competition would fund 

innovative, evidence-based short-term training programs that provide a path to the middle class 

for low-income individuals by helping them attain credentials that lead to a living wage and are 

articulated to a postsecondary degree or additional credentials. In addition, the Department 

would use $500,000 from the 2016 request to strengthen data collection efforts related to career 

and technical education conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). This 

would ensure continued data collection and expanded reporting through the NCES CTE 

Statistics program.

PROGRAM OUTPUT MEASURES (dollars in thousands)

Measures 2014 2015 2016

National Career and Technical 

Education Research Center 0 $1,500 $2,000

Improving program performance 1,266 1,266 1,750

Professional development 300 300 0

CTE statistics 850 750 500

Technical Assistance and 

Evaluation Support for 

Innovation Fund Projects 0 0 2,000

Other program improvement 

activities 5,005 3,605 3,171

N-23
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Adult education:

Adult education: Adult basic and literacy education State grants

(Adult Education and Family Literacy Act)

(dollars in thousands)

FY 2016 Authorization: $622,2861

Budget Authority:

2015 2016 Change

$568,955 $568,955 0

_________________

1 A total of $622,286 thousand is authorized for both Adult Basic and Literacy Education State Grants and 

National Leadership Activities.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), adult education grants to the States 

and Outlying Areas support programs that assist adults in becoming literate and in obtaining the 

knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency, assist adults who are 

parents in obtaining the educational skills necessary to become full partners in the educational 

development of their children, and assist adults in the completion of a secondary education. The 

Department also uses a portion of State grant funds to make formula grants to States for English 

literacy and civics education.

In July 2014, the President signed into law the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 

(WIOA), which reauthorized AEFLA. The reauthorization promotes the integration of adult 

education with occupational education and training and with the development of career 

pathways systems, explicitly authorizes the use of program funds for integrated education and 

training and workforce preparation activities, emphasizes that adult education providers should 

assist participants in transitioning to postsecondary education, encourages States to align their 

content standards for adult education with State-established academic standards for elementary 

and secondary education, codifies the Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education 

program, eliminates Incentive Grants, increases the cap on State spending on correctional 

education, requires that State performance levels be adjusted using an "objective statistical 

model" to reflect differences in State economic conditions, and aligns Adult Education State 

Grants more closely with the Department of Labor (DOL) programs, including through provisions 

requiring common performance measures and inclusion of adult education activities in unified 

State workforce development plans.

Adult Education State Grants

The statute requires the Department to make an initial allotment of $250,000 for each State and 

$100,000 to each Outlying Area and to distribute remaining funds on the basis of each State’s 

share of qualifying adults. Qualifying adults are defined in AEFLA as individuals aged 16 and 

older who lack a high school diploma or the equivalent, who are beyond the age of compulsory 

N-24
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Adult education: Adult basic and literacy education State grants

education in their States, and who are not currently enrolled in school. AEFLA also includes a 

“hold-harmless” provision that ensures that each State receives at least 90 percent of its 

previous year’s allocation. If funding is insufficient to satisfy the hold-harmless provision, each 

State receives the same proportion of available funding as in the previous year.

A State may use up to 12.5 percent of its grant for State leadership activities and an additional 

5 percent or $85,000 (whichever is greater) for State administration. At least 82.5 percent of a 

State’s grant must be used for local awards; of this amount, up to 20 percent may be used to 

educate incarcerated and other institutionalized individuals. Of the funds provided by the State 

agency to eligible entities, at least 95 percent must be used for instructional activities.

States make subgrants to local entities that provide adult basic education, English literacy, adult 

secondary education, workplace literacy, and family literacy services. Local service providers 

include local educational agencies, community colleges, libraries, and community- and faithbased organizations. In distributing funds, States must give equitable access to all types of 

eligible entities that have the ability to operate adult education programs, taking into account the 

extent to which such programs have measurable goals for client outcomes, can demonstrate 

past effectiveness in improving the literacy skills of adults and families, serve individuals who are 

most in need of literacy services, are built on a strong foundation of research about effective 

practices, and coordinate with other available resources in the community.

State leadership funds are used for activities to improve adult education and literacy services, 

including professional development to improve the quality of instruction, technology assistance 

for local providers, and monitoring and evaluating the quality of local programs. States may also 

use a portion of their State leadership funds for financial incentives to reward local programs for 

high performance or exemplary program coordination.

To promote continuous program improvement, the Secretary and each State must reach 

agreement on annual performance targets for a number of core indicators in the areas of literacy 

skill improvement, placement in postsecondary education or training, entry into and retention in 

unsubsidized employment, and attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized 

equivalent.

AEFLA shares a common performance accountability system with the workforce programs under 

WIOA that are administered by DOL, including six primary indicators of performance: (1) the 

percentage of program participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the second

quarter after exit from the program; (2) the percentage of program participants who are in 

unsubsidized employment during the fourth quarter after exit from the program; (3) the median 

earnings of program participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter 

after exit from the program; (4) the percentage of program participants who obtain a recognized 

postsecondary credential, or a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, during 

participation in or within 1 year after exit from the program; (5) the percentage of program 

participants who, during a program year, 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; and (6) an indicator to be determined by the 

Secretaries of Labor and Education by 2016 that will measure the effectiveness of programs in 

serving employers.

N-25
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Adult education: Adult basic and literacy education State grants

English Literacy and Civics Education State Grants

The Department also awards formula grants to States for English literacy and civics (EL/Civics) 

education from funds set aside from the Adult Education appropriation. Using data from the 

Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Immigration Statistics on the number of legal 

immigrants, the Department allocates 65 percent of funds based on each State’s share of a 

10-year average of immigrants admitted for legal permanent residence. The remaining 

35 percent is allocated to States that have experienced recent growth in immigration, as 

measured by the average number of immigrants in the 3 most recent years. No State receives 

an award of less than $60,000. States have received EL/Civics formula grants each year since 

fiscal year 2000.

This is a forward-funded program. Funds become available for obligation from July 1 of the 

fiscal year in which they are appropriated and remain available through September 30 of the 

following year.

Funding levels for the past 5 fiscal years were:

Fiscal Year (dollars in thousands)

2011 ...........................................................$596,120

2012 .............................................................594,993

2013 .............................................................563,955

2014 .............................................................563,955

2015 .............................................................568,955

FY 2016 BUDGET REQUEST

The Administration requests $569.0 million for Adult Education State Grants in fiscal year 2016, 

the same as the 2015 level. The fiscal year 2016 funds will be used for the first year of full 

implementation of the reauthorized program. This request will help meet the President’s goal of 

closing the opportunity and achievement gap so that every American has access to education, 

training, and pathways into the middle class. 

There is a persistent need for adult education services in the U.S. Data from the Organisation 

for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Program for the International 

Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) indicate that, in 2012, mean proficiency scores in 

both literacy and numeracy among U.S. individuals ages 16-65 were significantly below the 

average of the OECD countries participating in the survey. This lower performance in the United 

States also applies to the subgroup of individuals ages 16-25. Eighteen percent of adults in the 

U.S. score at the lowest two of six levels in literacy and 30 percent score at the lowest two of six 

levels in numeracy, compared to an international average of 15 percent for literacy and 

19 percent for numeracy.

Findings from a supplemental study of the National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL), “Basic 

Reading Skills and the Literacy of America’s Least Literate Adults,” published in 2009, found that 

of the adults who scored “Below Basic” in prose literacy on the NAAL, 55 percent were those 

with the least amount of schooling (less than a high school degree) and 44 percent lived in 

N-26
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Adult education: Adult basic and literacy education State grants

families with incomes below the poverty line. State enrollment data for the Adult Education State 

Grants program also indicate approximately 1.7 million adults were enrolled in adult education 

during the 2012-2013 program year, with approximately 88 percent in adult basic education 

programs or English literacy programs and only 12 percent in adult secondary education 

programs.

Another group with a strong need for adult education services is high school dropouts. Some of 

these students may be immigrants without the English language skills or formal education 

background to succeed in a traditional secondary school. The Census Bureau reports a “status 

dropout rate,” which represents the proportion of young people, ages 16 through 24, who are out 

of school and who have not earned a high school diploma or equivalent. In 2000, this dropout 

rate was 11 percent. While the dropout rate for the same age group had declined to 7 percent

by 2013, higher rates persist for some minority groups. For example, the 2013 dropout rate was

12 percent for Hispanics. These data underscore the need both to continue to serve at-risk

populations and to work to improve the effectiveness of the services provided to these 

populations.

Further, there has been an evolution of the requisite levels of educational attainment for jobs 

that pay wages sufficient to support a family. A 2012 report released by Georgetown University’s 

Center on Education and the Workforce, “Career and Technical Education: Five Ways that 

Pay,” predicts that by 2020, 65 percent of jobs will require some postsecondary education and 

training. In 1973, only about 25 percent of jobs required applicants to have more than a high 

school education; by 2007, that percentage had risen to about 60 percent. 

The Department has made significant improvements in program management and in the quality 

of participant data. Data collected through the program’s National Reporting System

demonstrate that the program has achieved consistent improvements on measures of student 

performance and other program goals, such as job attainment and retention. Also, the 

Department has increased the availability of research-based instructional materials for adult 

education teachers, and all States use standardized assessments to measure student-learning 

gains.

PROGRAM OUTPUT MEASURES (dollars in thousands) 

Measures 2014 2015 2016

Adult basic and literacy State grants (ABL) $483,208 $497,516 $500,680

ABL Range of awards to States $742-$71,979 $757-$74,164 $761-$74,647 

ABL Number of participants (estimated) 1,708,105 1,708,105 1,708,105

English literacy and civics education 

State grants (ELC) $70,811 $71,439 $68,275

ELC Range of awards to States $60-$14,718 $60-$14,849 $60-$14,188

ELC Number of participants (estimated) 232,448 232,448 232,448

Incentive grants $9,936 0 0

N-27
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Adult education: Adult basic and literacy education State grants

PROGRAM PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Performance Measures

This section presents selected program performance information, including, for example, GPRA 

goals, objectives, measures, and performance targets and data; and an assessment of the 

progress made toward achieving program results. Achievement of program results is based on 

the cumulative effect of the resources provided in previous years and those requested in 

FY 2016 and future years, as well as the resources and efforts invested by those served by this 

program.

The Department will review its performance measures due to the recent reauthorization of the 

program under WIOA. In the meantime, because funds are available to grantees for 27 months, 

the Department will continue to report on the existing measures based on the previous 

authorization. 

Under the authorization in effect at the time of the fiscal year 2014 awards, AEFLA identified 

three core indicators that must be used to assess State performance. These are: 

(1) demonstrated improvements in skill levels in reading, writing, and speaking English; 

numeracy and problem-solving; English language acquisition; and other literacy skills; 

(2) placement in, retention in, or completion of postsecondary education, training, unsubsidized 

employment, or career advancement; and (3) receipt of a secondary school diploma or a 

recognized equivalent. These indicators are reflected in the first four measures below. The 

previous statute also required that the Department report annually to Congress on State 

performance. The Department’s most recent report, released in May 2013, provided State data 

on the performance of all adult education students on each of the indicators for school year 

2010-2011. The next report will be available in spring 2015. 

In addition to the indicators, the Department is collecting data for two other measures on 

obtaining and retaining employment. These are described below. 

Goal: To support adult education systems that result in increased adult learner 

achievement in order to prepare adults for family, work, citizenship, and future learning. 

Objective: Provide adult learners with opportunities to acquire basic foundation skills (including 

English language acquisition), complete secondary education, and transition to further education 

and training and to work.

Measure: The percentage of adults in Adult Basic Education programs who acquire the level of 

basic skills needed to complete the level of instruction in which they enrolled.

Year Target Actual

2011 50% 42%

2012 52 43

2013 54 43

2014 56

2015 58

2016 60

N-28
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Adult education: Adult basic and literacy education State grants

Measure: The percentage of adults enrolled in English literacy programs who acquire the level 

of English language skills needed to complete the levels of instruction in which they enrolled.

Year Target Actual

2011 48% 44%

2012 50 45

2013 52 46

2014 54

2015 56

2016 58

Additional information: The Department has developed a data-quality review process for 

States based on its “Standards for Evaluating Program Performance Data.” Educational gain is 

demonstrated by Department-approved standardized tests. The Department expects to receive 

2014 data in summer 2015.

Measure: The percentage of adults who earn a high school diploma or recognized equivalent.

Year Target Actual

2011 56% 60%

2012 57 61

2013 58 73

2014 59

2015 60

2016 61

Additional information: In 2011, the Department clarified the definition for this measure and 

the other outcome-based measures below, and began collecting information using this more 

specific definition in 2013. This more precise definition of this measure is: the percentage of 

adults who took all GED tests, or who were enrolled in adult high school at the high Adult 

Secondary Education level, or who were enrolled in the assessment phase of the External 

Diploma Program who obtain certification of attaining passing scores on GED tests, or who 

obtain a high school diploma or State-recognized equivalent documenting satisfactory 

completion of secondary studies (high school or adult high school diploma). The Department 

has developed a data-quality review process for States based on its “Standards for Evaluating

Program Performance Data.” High school diplomas issued are certified by local educational 

agencies or the State educational agency, and General Educational Development (GED) 

credentials are confirmed through a data match with the State’s GED administrative database. 

The Department expects to receive 2014 data in summer 2015. 

N-29
CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Adult education: Adult basic and literacy education State grants

Measure: The percentage of adults who enroll in a postsecondary education or training 

program.

Year Target Actual

2011 45% 56%

2012 47 58

2013 49 29

2014 51

2015 53

2016 55

Additional information: The precise definition for this measure is: the percentage of adults 

who passed the GED tests or earned a secondary credential while enrolled in adult education, or 

who had a secondary credential at entry, or who were enrolled in a class specifically designed 

for transitioning to postsecondary education who enroll in a postsecondary educational program, 

occupational skills training program, or an apprenticeship training program. The decrease in 

2013 in the percentage of adults meeting a goal of enrolling in a postsecondary education or 

training program is largely due to the change in the way the measure is applied, which now 

captures a broader segment of individuals receiving services under the program. The absolute 

number of adults meeting the standard increased in 2013. The change in the application of this 

measure will lead to greater comparability and consistency across States. Data for this measure 

should stabilize in the next couple years. States report annually on these common job training 

measures. The Department expects to receive 2014 data in summer 2015.

Measure: The percentage of adults who obtain a job by the end of the first quarter after their 

program exit quarter.

Year Target Actual

2011 43% 48%

2012 43 48

2013 44 46

2014 45

2015 46

2016 47

Additional information: The precise definition for this measure is: the percentage of adults 

who were unemployed and in the labor force at entry who obtain a job by the end of the first 

quarter after the program exit quarter. The Department expects to receive 2014 data in summer 

2015. 

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Adult education: Adult basic and literacy education State grants

Measure: The percentage of adults who retain employment in the third quarter after exit.

Year Target Actual

2011 70% 62%

2012 70 66

2013 70 56

2014 70

2015 70

2016 70

Additional information: The precise definition for this measure is: the percentage of adults 

who were unemployed and in the labor force at entry who were employed in the first quarter after 

exit quarter, as well as adults who were employed at entry, who are employed in the third quarter 

after the program exit quarter. The Department expects to receive 2014 data in summer 2015.

Efficiency Measures

The Department developed two efficiency measures for the Adult Education State Grants 

program. The first measure, annual cost per participant, was established under the Federal 

Government’s common performance measures initiative for job training programs, and the 

Department has collected sufficient data to report this measure through the National Reporting 

System. The second measure, cost per student learning gain, captures the average Federal 

cost for a student to advance to at least the next educational level in an Adult Education program

or to earn a high school diploma or GED credential. 

Measure: The annual Federal cost per participant.

Year Target Actual

2011 $215 $275

2012 215

2013 250

2014 250

2015 250

2016 250

Additional information: This measure reflects the average annual Federal cost per participant 

for Adult Education programs. Data do not include State and local resources, which account for 

a large proportion of Adult Education funds. Because funds are available for 27 months, States 

reported fiscal year 2011 costs in spring 2014. Given the increase in the cost of providing 

services to adult learners over the past 10 years, the Department adjusted the targets for future 

years. 

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Adult education: Adult basic and literacy education State grants

Measure: The annual Federal cost per student learning gain or high school diploma/GED 

attainment.

Year Target Actual

2011 $407 $553

2012 407

2013 512

2014 512

2015 512

2016 512

Additional information: This measure examines the annual Federal cost for Adult Education 

students who advance to at least the next higher educational level or who attain a high school 

diploma or GED certificate. Because funds are available for 27 months, States will report fiscal 

year 2012 costs by summer 2015. Given the increase in the cost of providing services to adult 

learners over the past 10 years, the Department adjusted the targets for future years. However, 

as improved assessment and scientifically based curricula are implemented in more Adult 

Education programs, the cost per learning gain or high school diploma/GED attainment may 

decrease. 

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Adult education: National leadership activities

(Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, Section 242)

(dollars in thousands)

FY 2016 Authorization: $622,2861

Budget Authority:

2015 2016 Change

$13,712 $19,712 +$6,000

_________________

1 A total of $622,286 thousand is authorized for both National Leadership Activities and Adult Basic and Literacy 

Education State Grants.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Adult Education national leadership and evaluation activities, as authorized under the Adult 

Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), address major policy priorities in adult education, 

including program improvement, accountability, professional development, and increasing 

access to learning opportunities for adults. Under this authority, the Department supports 

applied research, development, dissemination, evaluation, and program improvement activities 

to assist States in their efforts to improve the quality of adult education programs. Examples of 

these activities include: evaluations of the effectiveness of adult education programs, training 

institutes, national and international adult literacy surveys, and technical assistance on using 

technology to improve instruction.

In July 2014, the President signed into law the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 

(WIOA), which reauthorized AEFLA. WIOA requires the Secretary to carry out certain national 

leadership activities, including assistance to States in meeting the requirements of the 

performance accountability provisions of WIOA, assistance to local providers of adult education 

services upon request from one or more States, and carrying out research and evaluation on 

effective adult education and literacy services. 

This is a forward-funded program. Funds become available for obligation from July 1 of the 

fiscal year in which they are appropriated and remain available for 15 months through 

September 30 of the following year.

Funding levels for the past 5 fiscal years were:

Fiscal Year (dollars in thousands)

2011 .............................................................$11,323

2012 ...............................................................11,302

2013 ...............................................................10,712

2014 ...............................................................13,712

2015 ...............................................................13,712

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Adult education: National leadership activities

FY 2016 BUDGET REQUEST

For fiscal year 2016, the Administration requests $19.7 million for National Leadership Activities, 

an increase of $6.0 million increase over the 2015 level, that would be used to support States in 

their efforts to improve adult education standards and assessments and to carry out data 

collection activities during the first year of full implementation of the reauthorized AEFLA. The 

request for National Leadership Activities would also continue support for activities designed to 

enhance the quality and outcomes of adult education and literacy programs. Currently, National 

Leadership Activities include:

• The Literacy Information and Communications System (LINCS), which includes a resource 

collection of instructional and professional development materials, regional professional 

development centers, and the development of a technology infrastructure to support the 

collection, maintenance, and dissemination of adult education resources.

• Improving Reentry Education, which supports the expansion of the Department’s reentry 

education model demonstration initiative. This will help develop evidence of effectiveness in 

a variety of institutional contexts and build on lessons learned from the Department’s 

Promoting Reentry Success through Continuity of Educational Opportunities grants. 

• Implementing College- and Career-Ready Standards in Adult Education, which supports 

State and local adult educators’ efforts to develop, adopt, and implement rigorous collegeand career-ready standards, including those for English Learners, that can both strengthen 

pathways to postsecondary education and promote work readiness.

• The National Reporting System (NRS), which specifies the methodologies by which local 

providers and States are to collect and report data on the outcome, participation, and student 

descriptive measures for the Adult Education programs; serves as the repository for these 

data; and provides resources to increase the knowledge of State staff and the capacity of 

State data systems. This will help to ensure that local providers and States collect and 

report high-quality data and become skilled in using this information in program management 

and decisionmaking.

• Support for English Language Learning, which includes the compilation and updating of 

professional development resources, partnering with States to provide training and technical 

assistance, and supporting master teacher groups to create, rate, review, and disseminate 

resources for adult English Learners. 

• Support for Immigrant Education, which includes technical assistance to identify, implement, 

document, and plan for the sustainability of effective models for immigrant integration that 

focus on improving access to English language programs and supporting immigrants on the 

path to citizenship.

• Technical Assistance for States Developing Career Pathways Systems, which provides 

technical assistance to a number of States to help them scale up career pathways in adult 

education through support of State and local efforts involving industry, education, and 

workforce and economic development systems.

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Adult education: National leadership activities

• Technical assistance for Performance Partnership Pilots, which will support State, local, and 

tribal governments in implementing better coordinated and more cost-effective services to 

improve outcomes for disconnected youth, including meeting education or employment 

goals.

Support for WIOA Implementation

The Department would use $5.0 million of the requested increase to help States meet the WIOA 

requirement for alignment of existing adult education content standards with the standards they 

have established under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The Department 

would use the remaining $1.0 million to provide technical assistance to States in their collection 

of new data elements and integration of data systems, and in meeting new reporting 

requirements related to the law’s performance accountability provisions.

PROGRAM OUTPUT MEASURES (dollars in thousands)

Measures 2014 2015 2016

National dissemination system (LINCS) $3,550 $3,350 $3,350

Improving reentry education 3,000 1,300 1,300

Implementing standards-based education 1,459 1,500 1,500

National Reporting System 1,160 1,500 1,500

Support for English language learning and 

immigrant education 1,132 1,000 1,000

Technical assistance for career pathways 805 800 800

Technical assistance for performance 

partnership pilots 450 250 250

Support for alignment of State standards 0 0 5,000

Data collection 0 0 1,000

Other technical assistance, logistical 

support, and evaluation

2,156 4,012 4,012

PROGRAM PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Performance Measures

This section presents selected program performance information, including, for example, GPRA 

goals, objectives, measures, and performance targets and data; and an assessment of the 

progress made toward achieving program results. Achievement of program results is based on 

the cumulative effect of the resources provided in previous years and those requested in 

FY 2016 and future years, as well as the resources and efforts invested by those served by this 

program. 

Goal: To support research, evaluation, information dissemination, and other activities to 

help States improve adult education and literacy programs.

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Adult education: National leadership activities

Objective: To support adult education systems that result in increased adult learner 

achievement in order to prepare adults for family, work, citizenship, and future learning. 

Measure: The percentage of States submitting high-quality learner assessment data through 

the National Reporting System (NRS).

Year Target Actual

2011 100% 92%

2012 100 87

2013 100 81

2014 100

2015 100

2016 100

Additional information: The decrease in the percentage of States submitting high-quality data 

is due, in part, to recent increases in data quality standards for the NRS. Through National 

Leadership Activities, the Department offers technical assistance and guidance designed to help 

all States, including DC, Puerto Rico, and the Outlying Areas, meet high standards for the 

collection and reporting of these data. The program office has developed a data-quality review 

process for States based on the Department’s “Standards for Evaluating Program Performance 

Data.” This process leads to a determination of whether each State has submitted high-quality 

learner assessment data. 

Other Performance Information

Beginning in 2008, the Department, in collaboration with the National Institute of Child Health 

and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health, supported a study of adult and 

adolescent literacy instruction through the National Academies of Science. The resulting 

2012 report, “Improving Adult Literacy Instruction: Options for Practice and Research,” explores 

in depth the factors that affect literacy development in adolescence and adulthood and examines 

the implications for strengthening literacy instruction for those populations. The report covers 

such topics as technologies that can assist with multiple aspects of teaching, assessment, and 

accommodations for learning; use of evidence-based practices and professional development; 

improving learner persistence through the use of educational technologies, social service 

support, and incentives; and improved coordination of program improvement, evaluation, and 

research. 

The Department’s Institute of Education Sciences funded a competition in fiscal year 2011 for its 

first national research and development center on cognition and adult literacy, which began work 

in September 2012. The primary goals of this center, the Center for the Study of Adult Literacy, 

are to: (1) build the understanding of the underlying cognitive and motivational processes that 

contribute to or impede struggling adult readers’ development, (2) examine the adequacy of 

measurement instruments and assessments for the population, and (3) develop and evaluate a 

multi-component reading intervention for this population. The Center hosts a Web site, 

http://csal.gsu.edu/, with information and resources for researchers, practitioners, policymakers, 

and other stakeholders interested in adult education and adult literacy. The Center is currently 

testing adult literacy students on existing measures (of both reading skills and motivation) in 

order to assess both the skills of the student population and the quality of the tests. The Center 

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CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND ADULT EDUCATION

Adult education: National leadership activities

has developed a series of online tutorials that can supplement the regular instruction that adult 

literacy students receive and is developing, among other tools, a series of other tutorials and a 

series of lessons for more advanced adult literacy students. The Center also conducts national 

webinars on its activities and provides training opportunities for current and future education 

researchers through venues such as workshops at national conferences and through doctoral 

and postdoctoral training opportunities.

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