OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL AND ADULT EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

AUTHORIZATION:

Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, Chapter 2, Public Law 105-220, 20 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.

OBJECTIVES:

To create a partnership among the Federal Government, States, and localities to provide, on a voluntary basis, adult education and literacy services, in order to assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self- sufficiency; assist adults who are parents to obtain the educational skills necessary to become full partners in the educational development of their children; and assist adults in the completion of a secondary school education.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Formula Grants.

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

The Act lists specific performance measures by which States will be assessed. These include: demonstrated improvements in literacy skill levels in reading, writing, and speaking in the English language, numeracy, problem-solving, English language acquisition and other literacy skills; placement, retention, or completion of postsecondary education, training, unsubsidized employment, or career advancement; receipt of a high school diploma or its equivalent; other objective, quantifiable measures, as identified by the State agency. Not more than 12.5 percent of the State allotment may be used for State leadership activities, including professional development; 82.5 percent of the State allotment shall be used to support local programs and corrections education and other institutionalized individuals. Not more than 8.25 percent of the State allotment may be used for correctional education and other institutionalized individuals; not more than 5 percent (or $65,000, whichever is greater) of the State allotment may be used for State administrative costs.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Formula grants are made to designated eligible State agencies. State agencies shall provide direct and equitable access to: Local educational agencies, public or private nonprofit agencies, community-based organizations of demonstrated effectiveness; institutions of higher education, volunteer literacy organizations of demonstrated effectiveness; libraries, public housing authorities; nonprofit institutions not described above that have the ability to provide literacy services to adults and families, and consortia of the entities described above.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Out of school adults who are 16 years of age and older, who are not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under State law, and who lack sufficient mastery of basic educational skills to enable them to function effectively in society or do not have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and have not achieved an equivalent level of education, or are unable to speak, read, or write the English language.

Credentials/Documentation:   A five-year State plan as provided for in Section 224 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, Education Department General Administrative Regulations, 34 CFR 74, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86. The State plan shall include a certification from a State official that all provisions and amendments thereto are consistent with the Act. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments.

APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:   The Director of Adult Education and Literacy will provide guidance on specific problems and technical assistance in the preparation of State Plans. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure:   Each eligible educational agency must submit to the Secretary of Education a 5-year State plan which sets forth the manner and procedures under which the State will carry out activities to achieve its program objectives and priorities and fulfill the purposes of the Act. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure:   The Secretary approves the 5-year State plan and any amendment thereto and makes allocations to the State.

Deadlines:   July 1.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Approximately 30 days.

Appeals:   States are afforded an opportunity for hearings.

Renewals:   None.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   $100,000 initial allotment to Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, Micronesia, Marshall Islands, and Palau. Allotments reserved for Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau shall be awarded competitively pursuant to recommendations by the Pacific Region Educational Laboratory to Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, or Palau. No funds may be provided to Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau in fiscal year 2002 and subsequent fiscal years. $250,000 initial allotment to States and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The remainder is allotted to all eligible agencies on the basis of the ratio of adults age 16 and older who are not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under State law. In fiscal year 1999, no eligible agency may receive less than 90 percent of its fiscal year 1998 allotment. In succeeding fiscal years, no agency may receive less than 90 percent of its allotment for the preceding fiscal year. The data source is a special tabulation by the Bureau of the Census. To receive a grant, States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico must provide a nonfederal contribution in an amount equal to 25 percent of the total amount of funds expended for adult education and literacy activities in the State. To receive a grant, eligible outlying agencies must provide a nonfederal contribution in an amount equal to 12 percent of the total amount of funds expended for adult education and literacy activities. This program has maintenance of effort (MOE) requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Funds must be expended within 27 months of their date of availability. States draw funds as needed under the Electronic Transfer System.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Annual Financial and Program Performance Reports in accordance with the provisions in EDGAR.

Audits:   In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records:   In accordance with Section 443 of the General Education Provisions Act, as amended by the Improving America's School Act, grantees must maintain records for 3 years.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   91-0400-0-1-501.

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 99 $365,000,000; FY 00 est $450,000,000; and FY 01 est $460,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   Fiscal year 1999 awards ranged from $646,000 to $41,466,000.

PROGAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

States distributed funds to over 4,000 adult education and literacy providers who provided services at more than 24,000 learning centers. Participant achievements include: over 308,000 passing the GED test and earning high school diplomas; more than 340,000 gaining employment or obtaining job advancement; another 34,000 being removed from public assistance registers. In addition, State education agencies supported many special demonstration projects and teacher training projects.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

Adult Education General Provisions and State-Administered Basic Grant Program.

INFORMATION CONTACTS: