Strengthening Research in Adult Education Act

To amend the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 and the Educational Technical Assistance Act of 2002 to strengthen research in adult education. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Strengthening Research in Adult Education Act 2. Strengthen research in adult education (a) Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 The Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 ( 20 U.S.C. 9501 (1) in section 102 ( 20 U.S.C. 9501 (A) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (8), (9) through (22), and (23), as paragraphs (3) through (9), (11) through (24), and (26), respectively; (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: (2) Adult education; adult education and literacy activities The terms adult education adult education and literacy activities 29 U.S.C. 3272 ; (C) by inserting after paragraph (9), as redesignated by subparagraph (A), the following: (10) Digital literacy skills The term digital literacy skills 20 U.S.C. 9101 ; and (D) by inserting after paragraph (24), as redesignated by subparagraph (A), the following: (25) Student Unless otherwise provided, the term student ; (2) in section 111(b)(1) ( 20 U.S.C. 9511(b)(1) , including adult education postsecondary study (3) in section 115(a) ( 20 U.S.C. 9515(a) (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3271 the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6301 (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting and adults children (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking and (iii) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D); and (iv) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following: (C) access to, and opportunities for, adult education and literacy activities; and ; (4) in section 116(c)(4)(A)(ii) ( 20 U.S.C. 9516(c)(4)(A)(ii) (A) by inserting adult educators, professional educators, (B) by inserting State directors of adult education, postsecondary education executives, (5) in section 131(b)(1) ( 20 U.S.C. 9531(b)(1) (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking and (B) in subparagraph (D), by inserting and (C) by adding at the end the following: (E) improve the literacy and numeracy skills of individuals who need adult education; ; (6) in section 133 ( 20 U.S.C. 9533 (A) in subsection (a)— (i) in paragraph (10)(D), by striking and (ii) in paragraph (11), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (iii) by adding at the end the following: (12) carry out research on successful State and local adult education and literacy activities that— (A) result in increased literacy and numeracy and educational attainment for adult learners; or (B) prepare students for postsecondary education or employment. ; and (B) in subsection (c)— (i) in paragraph (1), by inserting At least 1 center shall be assigned the topic of adult education. paragraph (2). (ii) in paragraph (2)— (I) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following: (A) Adult education. ; (II) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) through (K) as subparagraphs (D) through (L), respectively; and (III) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following: (C) Digital literacy skills. ; (7) in section 153(a)(1) ( 20 U.S.C. 9543(a)(1) (A) by striking subparagraph (D) and inserting the following: (D) secondary school graduation and completion rates, including the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate and the extended-year adjusted cohort graduation rate (as defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 7801 ; (B) by redesignating subparagraphs (F) through (O) as subparagraphs (G) through (P), respectively; (C) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following: (F) access to, and opportunity for, adult education and literacy activities; ; and (D) in subparagraph (L), as redesignated by subparagraph (A), by inserting and in adult education secondary schools (8) in section 154(b)(2)(A) ( 20 U.S.C. 9544(b)(2)(A) vocational and adult education, career and technical education, adult education, (9) in section 172(a)(2) ( 20 U.S.C. 9562(a)(2) (A) in subparagraph (D), by striking and (B) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F); and (C) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following: (E) educational practices that improve digital literacy skills; and . (b) Educational Technical Assistance Act of 2002 Section 206(b)(2) of the Educational Technical Assistance Act of 2002 ( 20 U.S.C. 9605(b)(2) (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (F) as subparagraphs (C) through (G), respectively; and (2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following: (B) Representatives of local or regional adult education providers. .

Summary: Strengthening Research in Adult Education Act This bill requires the Institute of Education Sciences and the National Center for Education Research to collect data and carry out research on (1) successful state and local adult education and literacy activities that result in increased literacy and numeracy and educational attainment for adult learners, (2) the characteristics and academic achievements of adult learners, and (3) access to, and opportunity for, adult education, including digital literacy skills development. The bill also requires the institute to draw on the expertise of adult educators when developing policies and priorities relating to adult education. Finally, the bill requires that at least one research center focuses on adult education and literacy activities.