Adult Education WORKS Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2789
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Labor and Employment
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-09: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-19T08:06:59Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 2789: Adult Education WORKS Act
Purpose
The legislation aims to strengthen adult education programs by improving access to workforce development services, enhancing literacy skills (including digital and information literacy), promoting professional development for educators, and integrating adult education more effectively with workforce systems. It seeks to help adults gain skills for employment, economic self-sufficiency, and full participation in society, while leveraging community resources like libraries.
Key Provisions
- Amendments to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA):
- Introduces new definitions, such as "college and career navigator" (an expert who guides individuals on education, training, and job options, including financial aid and case management), "concurrent enrollment" (simultaneous participation in multiple programs to avoid service duplication), "digital literacy skills" (using technology to find, evaluate, and communicate information responsibly), "information literacy skills" (finding, evaluating, and using information from various sources), and "foundational skill needs" (basic reading, writing, math, or English skills below a certain level needed for daily life or work).
- Requires state and local workforce boards to include representatives from adult education organizations and promote hiring navigators in one-stop centers (central hubs for job and training services).
- Expands state and local plans to prioritize integrated education and training (combining basic skills with job training), professionalization of adult educators (e.g., credentials, ongoing training, and career advancement), and coordination with adult education providers.
- Updates performance indicators to measure progress toward credentials, diplomas, employment, or training within one year of program exit, and allows interim tracking for adult education.
- Integrates public libraries into one-stop delivery systems, allowing them to provide career services, especially in underserved areas, and authorizes grants for library- or community-based navigators.
- Authorizes $135 million annually from fiscal year 2026 to 2030 for navigator programs.
- Amendments to the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA):
- Expands the purpose to include digital and information literacy for full adult participation in life.
- Updates definitions to emphasize "college placement level" (skills for direct entry into college courses, not remedial ones) and integrates digital/information literacy into literacy and workforce preparation.
- Increases federal funding authorizations: $810 million in 2026, rising to $1.35 billion by 2030; raises the national leadership activities reservation from $15 million to $25 million.
- Establishes a performance accountability system aligned with WIOA, but allows states to pilot innovative systems (up to 5 years, extendable) using alternative performance measures tailored to adult education goals, with federal evaluations required.
- Requires states to report non-federal matching funds publicly and enhances state leadership activities, such as developing family literacy models, supporting educator credentials, and improving program quality standards.
- Expands national leadership activities to include technical assistance for innovative accountability pilots, model programs for effective educators, full-time staffing initiatives, and support for credentials and accreditation.
- Modifies integrated English literacy and civics education to focus on preparing English learners for economic, educational, and civic participation, potentially linked to local workforce systems.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- New Emphases in Definitions and Programs: Adds digital and information literacy as core components across both acts, shifting from basic skills to broader competencies for modern work and life; replaces terms like "basic skills deficient" with "foundational skill needs" for a more inclusive approach.
- Integration and Coordination: Mandates collaboration between workforce boards, adult education providers, libraries, and community organizations; requires public transparency in board membership and plan responses to feedback.
- Funding and Accountability: Substantially increases appropriations for adult education (from prior levels, though not specified in the bill, the new figures represent growth); introduces pilots for flexible performance measures, replacing rigid ones, and creates a common federal reporting system for participant data.
- Professionalization and Access: Prioritizes educator credentials, full-time positions, and navigators; allows up to 15% of funds for administrative costs including professional development (previously limited); expands one-stop services to libraries for better reach in remote or transit-poor areas.
- Conforming Adjustments: Updates cross-references in WIOA sections due to renumbered definitions and removes or modifies outdated language (e.g., on learning disabilities to "learning differences").
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Improves access to tailored career guidance, skill-building (especially digital skills for job market competitiveness), and pathways to credentials or jobs, potentially reducing unemployment and increasing economic mobility for adults with low literacy or foundational skills; benefits English learners and families through integrated programs.
- On Government Agencies: Requires the Departments of Labor and Education to collaborate on data systems, evaluations, and grant administration, increasing workload for oversight and technical assistance; states gain flexibility via pilots but must report outcomes, potentially straining smaller agencies without added resources.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts; focuses on domestic workforce and education enhancement.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Adult Learners: Primarily low-skilled adults, English learners, out-of-school youth, and families seeking education for self-sufficiency and job advancement.
- Educators and Providers: Adult education teachers, workforce navigators, and eligible providers (e.g., community colleges, nonprofits) who gain support for professional development and program quality.
- Community and Public Institutions: Public libraries and community-based organizations, which can partner for expanded services and funding.
- Government Entities: State and local workforce development boards, one-stop centers, and federal agencies (Departments of Labor and Education) responsible for implementation, funding, and evaluation.
- Employers and Workforce Systems: Businesses and local economies benefit from a more skilled labor pool through better-aligned training.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Aligns adult education with WIOA's performance standards while allowing state pilots, which could lead to varied implementation across states; requires timely federal review of pilot applications (within 90 days) and public data transparency, promoting accountability under existing federal grant laws.
- Constitutional: Supports equal protection and access to education by targeting underserved adults, potentially advancing opportunities for marginalized groups without infringing on state rights (pilots maintain federal oversight).
- Political: Represents a bipartisan effort (introduced by representatives from both parties) to address workforce gaps amid technological changes; emphasizes professionalization and library integration, which could appeal across ideologies by focusing on efficiency and community resources, but increased funding may spark debates on federal spending priorities.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (11)
Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-09: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2025-04-09: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Adult Education Workforce Opportunity and Reskilling for Knowledge and Success Act — issued 2025-04-09 — PDF (34 pages)