Adult Education and Economic Growth Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1468
Sponsor: Sen. Webb, Jim [D-VA]
Introduced: 2009-07-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Adult education and literacy
Citizenship and naturalization
Computers and information technology
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Education programs funding
Educational technology and distance education
Employment and training programs
Higher education
Income tax credits
Language arts
Research and development
Student aid and college costs
Unemployment
Youth employment and child labor

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-16
text: 
Adult Education and Economic Growth Act of 2009 - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1988 to revise requirements for statewide and local workforce investment systems to include adult education activities.
 
Revises member composition of: (1) state workforce investment boards to include state representatives responsible for implementing adult education, literacy, and workplace skills programs under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA); and (2) youth councils established by local workforce investment boards to include representatives of adult education.
 
Revises requirements for five-year state and local worker investment plans.
 
Authorizes the use of funds for: (1) statewide and local youth activities to provide opportunities for career pathways for eligible youth as well as dual enrollment opportunities; and (2) training services for local adult and dislocated workers to include integration of adult education and training.
 
Requires the Secretary to carry out specified employment and training demonstration and pilot projects.
 
Amends the AEFLA to include among adult education and literacy services programs activities to assist adults with limited English proficiency through postsecondary education and training to improve their English and mathematical skills and to acquire an understanding of the American system of government and responsibilities of citizenship.
 
Revises requirements for the allocation and reservation of AEFLA funds.
 

 

 

 
Revises state distribution requirements with respect to grants and contracts to eligible providers of activities for adult education and literacy and corrections education of institutionalized individuals.
 
Expands an eligible agency's use of funds for corrections education and education for other institutionalized individuals to include academic programs for: (1) integrated education and training; (2) career pathways; (3) dual enrollment; and (4) preparation for postsecondary education and training.
 
Replaces the National Institute for Literacy with the National Institute for Adult Education, Literacy, and Workplace Skills (Institute).
 
Requires national leadership activities to include activties to improve workplace skills programs nationwide.
 
Requires the Secretary of Education to allocate grants to states for integrated English literacy and civics education programs.
 
Requires the Secretary to award grants to assist states in developing a 21st century delivery system for adult education, literacy, and workplace skills services as well as adults in developing technology literacy.
 
Requires the Institute to establish the National Adult Learning and Technology Resource Center.
 
Requires the Secretary of Education to direct the Commissioner for Education Research of the National Center for Education Research to establish a national research and development center for adult education, literacy, and workplace skills.
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an employer educational assistance program credit for 50% of the qualified educational assistance expenses (up to $5,250) paid per taxable year on behalf of an employee.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7645-7650)
action_date: 2009-07-16
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7644-7645)
action_date: 2009-07-16
text: Introduced in Senate