ADULT BASIC EDUCATION

Contact: Brian Kanes
State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
P.O. Box 42495
Olympia, WA 98504-2495
Telephone: 360.704.4324
E-mail: bkanes@sbctc.ctc.edu

State Website: www.sbctc.ctc.edu
Local Link: http://www.sbctc.ctc.edu/college/e_abe.aspx

Participation: 64,498 individuals were served during July 1, 2006-June 30, 2007.

Who is Served: To be eligible for Adult Basic Education, participants must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 16 years old.

• Not be enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under state law.

• Lack sufficient mastery of the basic educational skills that would enable them to function effectively in society and:

- Not have a high school diploma or recognized equivalent, or
- Not have achieved an equivalent level of education, or
- Not be able to speak, read, or write the English language.

Program Description: Adult Basic Education provides adult education and literacy services—including workplace literacy, family literacy, and/or English literacy—to help:

• Adults become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency.

• Adult parents obtain the educational skills necessary to become full partners in the educational development of their children.

• Adults in the completion of a secondary school education.

Adult literacy, family learning, workplace skills enhancement, English language instruction, citizenship classes integrated with English literacy, basic skills education, high school equivalency preparation, alternative high school diploma, and similar programs are all parts of the state’s Adult Basic Education services.

These activities provide opportunities for adults to gain control over their own lives by enabling them to practice, learn from, and master the skills and strategies required for responsible citizenship, productive employment, and family self-sufficiency.

Other Program Characteristics: Adult Basic Education Programs are provided by the state’s community and technical colleges and by community-based organizations. The Adult Education Advisory Council has adopted updated performance goals, Adult Learning Standards, and a statewide standardized assessment system that are applicable to all providers. Service providers have developed broad-based, community-wide literacy programs using a variety of funding sources. For example, providers enter into local agreements to deliver basic skills for participation in WorkFirst, refugee resettlement and job training programs, as well as for inmates of state and local correction facilities.

Program History: Federal adult education legislation, enacted in 1965, started the modern era of Adult Basic Education services in the state. In 1991, the program moved from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC). Over the years, special state and federal initiatives expanded the scope of adult education to include homeless adults, English language instruction, citizenship for undocumented adults, workforce basics, adults with disabilities, basic skills for welfare reform participants, and family literacy.

Planning Cycle: Every two years, with a five-year state plan.

State Core Measures: See Workforce Training Results.

Other Outcome Measures: Each Adult Basic Education provider must propose and report quarterly rates for participants to:

• Demonstrate improvements in literacy skill levels in reading, writing, and speaking the English language; math skills; English language acquisition, and other literacy skills.
• Enroll in, retain, or complete postsecondary education, further training, unsubsidized employment, or career advancement.
• Earn a secondary school diploma or a GED certificate.

Funding and Regional Division: Funds are allocated among six funding areas in a ratio representing populations needing these services and the existing levels of service in each area. The current plan emphasizes increasing enrollment and improving student achievement by maintaining an Adult Basic Education presence throughout the state, fostering a local and regional fit between services and needs, demonstrating a commitment to direct and equitable access, and ensuring continuity of services for existing students. Each applicant for state and/or federal funding must compete with all other eligible applicants within his or her funding area. Competition is based on responses to the 12 criteria specified in WIA Title II, plus a budget item added by the state.

State Funding: $90,556,000 (July 1, 2006-June 30, 2007) Primarily from SBCTC’s allocation to colleges and a special line item in the SBCTC budget.

Federal Funding: $9,110,000 (July 1, 2007-June 30, 2008). U.S. Department of Education.

Statutory Authority: Federal – Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, Title II of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), P.L. 105-220, C.F.D.A. 84.0002. State – RCW 28B.50, WAC 180-72. Also, a special line item in the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges State General Fund budget.