Adult Learning/Continuing Education

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Education Commission of the States • 700 Broadway, Suite 1200 • Denver, CO 80203-3460 • 303.299.3600 • Fax: 303.296.8332 • www.ecs.org

Adult Education Governance Structures and Descriptions

July 2004

The United States has a large population of adults who are undereducated. Therefore, the U.S. Congress established grant programs to provide adult education in the states. The states have taken advantage of the grant dollars, and all states have established an adult education program that is partially or wholly funded by the Department of Education Office of Vocational and Adult Education.

Adult education is provided through various programs to serve various undereducated populations. Adult basic education, for instance, is provided only for adults over a certain age and without a diploma. English education is also provided for adults, but in such programs, the services are often only offered to nonnative residents. A summary of many of the most frequently provided programs is provided below:

Adult Basic Education: Every state provides this program. It is meant to provide basic skills to adult learners who did not learn them as a child. Basic English, grammar, writing and mathematics are frequently the curriculum for these programs. Typical requirements for these programs include a minimum of 16 to 20 years of age depending on the state, cessation of high school and the absence of a high school diploma. Most adult basic education programs do not lead to a high school diploma.

GED Preparation: While every state has a program and administers the General Educational Development (GED) examination, not all states provide GED preparation services. Most states do provide these services, however, with the intent to have adults within the state pass the GED test and obtain an equivalent to a high school diploma to improve their access to jobs within the state.

English Education: English adult education programs are provided by most states for non-English-speaking residents. Typically, a test is administered and the student is provided with the level of services that are required for familiarization with an elementary English vocabulary, including training in writing and grammar usage.

Adult Secondary Education/High School Completion: In these programs adults take a series of classes in which they can obtain their diploma at the end of the program. These programs have similar requirements to adult basic education programs in that there is a minimum age limit and the student must not be enrolled in high school.

Workforce Training: In these programs classes are designed with particular job categories in mind. Students are expected to learn skills that can transfer into real-world application in the workplace setting.

Other Adult Education Programs: Civics Education, Family Literacy, Adult Literacy

Adult education in the United States not only takes various forms, but it also functions under various governance structures. In many states, divisions within the department of education administer their education programs. Sixty-two percent of states function this way. Other states choose to house their adult education programs within other departments. Two states and the District of Columbia allow the department of higher education or a university to administer their adult education programs. Similarly, eight states allow the department of community or technical colleges to provide adult education. Finally, eight states have chosen to take an even more novel approach by housing their adult education services in non-education-related departments. The department of labor and the department of workforce development are typically the departments that have the adult education responsibility in these circumstances.

In recent years, states have tended to administer adult education in departments other than the department whose primary responsibility is the education of children. States such as Illinois have given the responsibility to the community colleges. This approach is based on the idea that colleges have more experience educating adults and thus would better serve the adult population that does not have a high school diploma. Further, by using the community college system the states have a ready-made regional education center to provide adult education. Moreover, other states such as South Dakota and Tennessee transferred adult education to the department of labor or workforce development. Because much of the population living without a high school diploma is unemployed or underemployed, education that is geared toward job skills has the potential to be most beneficial to the adult education population. Further, because federal grant money also is available for workforce education and job training, grant dollars can be merged into a single department and a single streamlined system.

Chart 1: Distribution of State Adult Education Among Different Departments

The following chart is a quick reference chart indicating the state’s governing department. Totals are provided in the bottom of the right side of the cart.

Chart 2: State Adult Education Governance Percentages

The following pie chart provides a visual summary of how adult education is allotted to different departments within the United States. Percentages are based on a value of 51 entities – the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Chart 3: Adult Education Statutes in the States

The following chart contains information on state adult education programs. The responsible department is indicated first. This indicator also is illustrated with colors. States where the department of education is responsible for adult education are unshaded. States where the higher education department is responsible are indicated in blue or the medium shaded areas. States where the department of community or technical colleges controls adult education are indicated in red or the darkly shaded areas. Where the community colleges control adult education but the community college remains under the control of the larger department of education, such as in Florida or Iowa, the state was shaded red and included in the totals for the Department of Community/ Technical Colleges. Finally, where a non-education department controls adult education the cells are shaded yellow. Consult the “Key” for a summary of the shading system.

Also presented in the following chart is the statutory citation for the adult education program. In four states – Idaho, Nevada, South Dakota and Tennessee – an adult education statute could not be located, but these states do provide adult education services. Also listed is the address of the most relevant adult education Web site in the state. Finally, a brief description of the adult education program provides information on some, but not all, of the programs offered and information related to governance changes in the past few years.

Adult Education Statutes in the States
State	General Responsibility for Adult Education	Statutory Citations	Adult Education Web Site	Description of the Adult Education Program
Alabama	Department of Education – Career/ Technical Education Section	Ala. Code § 16-34-1 et. seq.	Alabama Department of Education	The Career/Technical Education Section of the Alabama Department of Education is responsible for the implementation and monitoring of federal grant dollars under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act. Further, Alabama statutes require the state to have a Council on Adult Education.
Alaska	Department of Labor and Workforce Development	Alaska Stat. § 23.15.580	Alaska Workforce Investment Board	Alaska does not have a specific adult education program under the department of education. The Department of Labor and Workforce Development, specifically the Alaska Workforce Investment Board, administers “state and federally funded job training and vocational education programs.”
Arizona	Arizona Department of Education - Division of Adult Education	Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 15-232 Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 15-234	Arizona Department of Education Adult Education Services	The Division of Adult Education is responsible for both Adult Basic Education and GED preparation. The division also has established adult education standards.
Arkansas	Arkansas Department of Workforce Education	Ark. Code Ann. § 6-51-201	Arkansas Department of Workforce Education	The Arkansas Department of Workforce Education runs the adult education facilities in the state. The Board of Workforce Education has the authority to implement and collect fees for GED testing. There also is a statute (Ark. Code Ann. § 6-16-301) that allows local districts to make expenditures on adult education programs.
California	Department of Education – Adult Education Office	Cal. Educ. Code § 8500 et. seq. Cal. Educ. Code § 52500 et. seq.	California Department of Education - Adult Education	Through a broad range of service providers, California adult education serves over 2 million students. Adult basic education is offered as well as career and technical education and citizenship education. The Adult Education Office approves programs, administers adult education personnel and controls the adult education budget.
Colorado	Department of Education – Center for At-Risk Education	Colo Rev. Stat. § 22-2-124	Colorado Department of Education - Adult Education and Family Literacy	The Adult Education and Family Literacy Program under the Department of Education implements and monitors the Federal Adult Education and Family Literacy Act. In 2002, the Colorado Legislature passed the Family Literacy Act, which provides grants for adult and family literacy education to local education providers.
Connecticut	Department of Education – Bureau of Early Childhood, Career and Adult Education	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-69 Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-4	Connecticut State Department of Education - Division of Teaching and Learning Programs and Services	Adult education in Connecticut has undergone organizational changes within the past few years. As of publication, the Bureau of Early Childhood, Career and Adult Education presently controls adult education and GED programs, as well as providing professional development opportunities to Connecticut adult education teachers.
Delaware	Department of Education – Adult Education and Workforce Development Branch	Del. Code Ann. tit. 14, § 122(17) Del. Code Ann. tit. 14, § 1720	State of Delaware - Adult Education & Workforce Development	The Adult Education and Workforce Development Branch of the Delaware Department of Education is responsible for adult basic education, GED programs, as well as prison education. The adult basic education programs in Delaware communities serve over 10,000 adult learners. The branch also operates the James H. Groves High School, which is devoted entirely to adult education.
District of Columbia	University of the District of Columbia	D.C. Code Ann. § 38-1202.12	University of the District of Columbia - State Education Agency, Adult Education	The trustees of the University of the District of Columbia are responsible for “all functions, powers, duties, and funding.” Also, the University is responsible for the supervision of the adult education system. As of this report the University maintained 11 adult education programs within the district. The University of the District of Columbia also is responsible for GED programs.
Florida	State Department of Education – Community Colleges and Workforce Education Division	Fla. Stat. ch. 1004.93	Florida Department of Education - Division of Community Colleges and Workforce Education	As of January 1, 2003, adult basic education and GED preparation have been transferred to the Community Colleges and Workforce Education Division. As of publication of this report, adult basic education and GED preparation services were offered at 14 of the state’s 28 community colleges.
Georgia	Department of Technical and Adult Education	Ga. Code Ann. § 20-4-11 Ga. Code Ann. § 20-4-15	Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education	The Office of Adult Literacy within the Department of Technical and Adult Education oversees all the basic adult education within the state, as well as the GED testing.
Hawaii	Department of Education – Community Education Section	Haw. Rev. Stat. § 26-12	Hawaii Department of Education - Community Schools for Adults	Hawaii employs a community school model for adult education programs. At present there are 11 community schools offering adult education opportunities.
Idaho	Department of Education – Adult Education Office	N/A	Idaho State Department of Education See also, Idaho Adult Basic Education	Idaho does not have a separate statute specifically addressing adult education. Idaho, however, does receive federal aid under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act. Idaho offers adult basic education services at six colleges throughout the state.
Illinois	Illinois Community College Board	105 Ill. Comp. Stat. 405/1-1 et. seq.	Illinois Community College Board	On July 1, 2001, the Illinois Community College Board took control of adult education that had previously been vested in the Illinois State Board of Education. Adult education classes are offered mostly at Illinois Community Colleges. The Adult Education and Family Literacy section of the Illinois Community College Board serves nearly 50,000 adult basic education and GED learners.
Indiana	Department of Education – Division of Adult Education	Ind. Code § 20-10.1-7-1	Indiana Department of Education - Division of Adult Education	The Indiana Department of Education Division of Adult Education administers the adult basic education, GED programs, as well as other adult training programs and family literacy. Indiana has 43 school districts or education centers that offer adult education programs.
Iowa	Department of Education – Iowa Community Colleges	Iowa Code § 260C.1 et. seq.	Iowa Department of Education - Adult Basic Education	Iowa provides adult basic education through the Iowa Community College System, which is managed by the Iowa Department of Education. The community colleges offer adult basic education, high school completion programs and high school equivalency diplomas.
Kansas	Kansas Board of Regents – Adult Education Office	Kan. Stat. Ann. § 72-4517 et. seq.	Kansas Board of Regents - Adult, Career and Tech Ed	The Adult Education Office of the Kansas Board of Regents implements and monitors adult education and adult literacy programs in the state. Kansas has over 30 adult education centers within the state.
Kentucky	Kentucky Adult Education Department	Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 151B.023	Kentucky Adult Education	Kentucky has a separate department strictly for the education of adults. The department administers adult basic education, GED programs, workforce education and other adult programs. The department as a whole services over 100,000 Kentucky students.
Louisiana	Department of Education – Division of Family Career and Technical Education	La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 17:14	Louisiana Department of Education - Family, Career and Technical Education	The Adult and Family Services Office in the Division of Family, Career and Technical Education provides grants and monitors the 80 programs statewide. In 2002-03 Louisiana estimates that over 45,000 undereducated adults were served.
Maine	Department of Education – Adult and Community Education Program	Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 20-A, § 8601 et. seq.	Maine Adult Education	The Department of Education runs the adult education programs, the literacy programs and the high school completion programs. In 2002, 125,518 students enrolled in adult education programs according to the 2003 Maine Education Annual Report.
Maryland	Department of Education – Division of Career Technology and Adult Learning	Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 4-110	Maryland State Department of Education	The Adult Education and Literacy Services Branch of the Division of Career Technology and Adult Learning is responsible for working with local schools and centers to provide basic and secondary adult education. In Maryland the main adult education provider is the local education agency.
Massachusetts	Department of Education – Adult and Community Learning Services Unit	Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 69, § 1H	Massachusetts Department of Education - Adult Basic Education	Adult Education is provided in Massachusetts in three general areas: Adult and Community Learning Services, Family Literacy and GED programs. The Adult and Community Services Unit is responsible for the oversight and improvement of adult education in the state.
Michigan	Michigan Department of Career Development	Mich. Comp. Laws § 388.995 (II)(A)	Michigan Division of Labor and Economic Growth - Adult Education	In 1999, Michigan formed the Department of Career Development, which took over the adult education services from the Department of Education. The department offers programs on adult education, high school completion and GED test preparation. School districts, community colleges and nonprofit organizations operate over 250 adult education programs that serve over 80,000 students.
Minnesota	Department of Education	Minn. Stat. § 124D.51 et. seq.	Minnesota Department of Education - Adult & Career Education & Service Learning	Minnesota’s adult education program is linked with the career education programs of the state. Adult basic education is provided through the Minnesota public schools. Also, GED test preparation is offered.
Mississippi	State Board for Community and Junior Colleges	Miss. Code Ann. § 37-35-1 et. seq.	Mississippi Community and Junior Colleges Board	The Community and Junior Colleges Board administers the adult basic education programs in Mississippi. The board also administers the GED training.
Missouri	Department of Elementary and Secondary Education – Division of Career Services	Mo. Rev. Stat. § 171.091	Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education - Division of Career Education	The Division of Career Services administers the adult education and GED preparation services in Missouri. Currently there are 43 adult education programs in the state.
Montana	Office of Public Instruction	Mont. Code Ann. § 20-7-701 et. seq.	Montana Office of Public Instruction (Go to the “Adult Basic and Literacy Education” program page)	The Office of Public Instruction manages the funding and oversight of the adult education programs in the state. A local district or community college may establish an adult education program. GED preparation services as well as workplace and family literacy programs are offered throughout the state.
Nebraska	Department of Education – Adult Education Program	Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-11,133	Nebraska Department of Education - Adult Education	The Adult Education section of the Nebraska Department of Education is responsible for the planning, evaluation and improvement of the adult education programs throughout the state. The section also administers the GED programs. The section also authors a bimonthly electronic newsletter for adult basic education staff in Nebraska.
Nevada	Department of Education – Office of Adult Education	N/A	Nevada Department of Education Nevada Adult Education	Nevada’s Office of Adult Education provides adult basic education, adult high school diploma programs and GED programs. Nevada has seven adult education centers receiving federal assistance through the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act.
New Hampshire	Department of Education – Bureau of Adult Education	N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 186:61 et. seq.	New Hampshire Bureau of Adult Education New Hampshire Council on Literacy	The Bureau of Adult Education offers adult basic education, adult tutorial programs, workplace training, GED preparation and volunteer literacy programs. The bureau provides grants to local school districts and nonprofit organizations to maintain adult education programs in the state.
New Jersey	Department of Education – Office of Vocational-Technical, Career and Adult Education	N.J. Stat. Ann. § 18A:50-1 et. seq.	New Jersey Department of Education - Vocational, Technical, Career and Adult Education	New Jersey provides adult basic education, volunteer-based adult literacy programs, GED test centers and adult high schools. As of 2000, New Jersey had over 100 adult education centers located throughout the state.
New Mexico	Commission on Higher Education	N.M. Stat. Ann. § 21-1-26.11	New Mexico Commission on Higher Education	The Commission on Higher Education is assigned by statute to plan and budget for adult basic education programs. Much of the responsibility for adult education however lies with the New Mexico Coalition for Literacy. Adult basic education grants in New Mexico can be used for adult literacy, family literacy and GED programs.
New York	State Education Department – Office of Curriculum and Instructional Support	N.Y. Educ. Law § 4604	University of the State of New York - Curriculum and Instructional Support	The Office of Curriculum and Instructional Support maintains a variety of programs, including adult and family literacy, career development and GED services. Grant money for adult education is distributed through the Regional Adult Education Networks.
North Carolina	Community College System – Basic Skills Program Local Educational Agencies (LEA)	N.C. Gen. Stat. § 115D-1.1 (Community College Purpose Section) N.C. Gen. Stat. § 115C-231 (<