II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 277 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 28, 2015 Mr. Reed (for himself and Ms. Baldwin ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL 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 et seq. ) is amended— (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 and adult education and literacy activities have the meanings given the terms in section 203 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act ( 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 has the meaning given the term in section 202 of the Museum and Library Services Act ( 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 means any elementary, secondary, postsecondary, or adult education student. ; (2) in section 111(b)(1) ( 20 U.S.C. 9511(b)(1) ), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting , including adult education after 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 et seq. ), after the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq. ), ; and (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting and adults after children ; (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking and after the semicolon; (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, after professional educators, ; and (B) by inserting State directors of adult education, after postsecondary education executives, ; (5) in section 131(b)(1) ( 20 U.S.C. 9531(b)(1) )— (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking and after the semicolon; (B) in subparagraph (D), by inserting and after the semicolon; 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 after the semicolon; (ii) in paragraph (11), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; 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 one 1 center shall be assigned the topic of adult education. after paragraph (2). ; and (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 redesignating subparagraphs (F) through (O) as subparagraphs (G) through (P), respectively; (B) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following: (F) access to, and opportunity for, adult education and literacy activities; ; and (C) in subparagraph (L), as redesignated by subparagraph (A), by inserting and in adult education after secondary schools ; and (8) in section 172(a)(2) ( 20 U.S.C. 9562(a)(2) )— (A) in subparagraph (D), by striking and after the semicolon; (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) ) is amended— (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. .