Grants to States are the major source of Federal support for basic skills programs. The purpose of the program is to provide educational opportunities for adults over the age of 16, not currently enrolled in school, who lack a high school diploma or the basic skills to function effectively in the workplace in their daily lives. Basic Grants to States are allocated by a formula based upon the number of adults, over age 16, who have not completed high school in each State. States distribute funds to local providers through a competitive process based upon State-established funding criteria. ESL services for limited English proficient adults continues to be the fastest growing component of the adult education program.
States prepare plans for providing adult education services over a five-year period.
Under the Workforce Investment Act, adult education plans may be part of State unified plans for workforce development, or may cover only adult education. Several State plans and policy memoranda are available online, or, for further information, please contact the State Director of Adult Education for that State .