Adult education programs help adults improve their English-language, reading, writing, and numeracy skills needed for success at work, at home, and as contributing members of American society. Adult education investments serve multiple purposes, not only in terms of job preparedness and support for children, but also health literacy, personal and public safety, and the reduction in the need for public assistance. Federal funds support both daily operating costs and program improvement, and encourage significant State and local investments in literacy programs. Local programs, operated by schools, colleges, and community agencies, use funds to pay for instruction, course materials, teacher training, and new instructional technology. Last year, the State Grant programs served 3.6 million adults.
Adult literacy is critical to children's academic success.
We know that parents and caregivers have the largest impact on children's school readiness. Basic education, English literacy, and GED programs help adults not only meet their own life goals but also help their children succeed in school. Many States use a portion of their adult education grants for family literacy programs to help build strong reading and other life skills that parents need to become self-sufficient and successful, and their children need to learn and grow. At least 75,000 parents in adult education programs participate in family literacy services each year. State evaluations show that both parents and children participating in family literacy programs make educational progress, and parents become more involved in helping their children learn.