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• National Policy and Practice

National Policy and Practice

The federal government encourages transition to postsecondary education and career pathway initiatives by influencing state policy development through guidelines, funding and research agendas.

Tracking Current Federal Legislation

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 has reformed federal employment, adult education, and vocational rehabilitation programs to create an integrated, "one-stop" system of workforce investment and education activities for adults and youth. The Adult Education and Family Literacy Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-220) (WIA Title II) is the major source of federal support for adult basic skills programs. AEFLA funding supports instruction in reading, numeracy, GED preparation and English literacy.WIA was scheduled for reauthorization in 2003; however, its reauthorization remains pending. A draft bill is circulating in the Senate and may soon be available to the public. Website

Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) National Activities

Since 2004 the Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) at the Department of Education has strategically leveraged national leadership funds available through section 243 of AEFLA to conduct research, demonstration and technical assistance activities designed to help adults access the education, training and information resources they need to be college and career ready. Primary initiatives focus on improving instruction by helping states enhance teacher quality through professional development and creating new models of service delivery to help adults access the education, training and information resources needed to be college and career ready. For information on OVAE’s national initiatives, please visit their website.

Congress is divided into approximately 250 committees and subcommittees. Most of the legislation that impacts adult transition programs comes from two committees, however. The key Congressional committees are:

Committee on Education and the Workforce
U.S. House of Representatives
This site provides an overview of key legislative issues and information on specific bills --including dates for legislative hearing and a chart following the progress of each bill through the committee process.

U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
help.senate.gov
This site provides an overview of the committee's work schedule and links to additional government pages for each of the committee topic areas.

Thomas: Legislative Information on the Internet
Library of Congress
Thomas is a web site with up-to-date information on current and upcoming legislation, Congressional roll call votes, key House and Senate committee activities, as well as access to the Congressional Record. Information on specific bills can be located using the bill number or a key word or phrase.

Resources

New Path to Federal Student Aid for Those with No High School Diploma or GED
This Policy Brief by Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) describes a new policy allowing students without a high school diploma or GED to qualify for federal student aid if they successfully complete six credits in lieu of passing an Ability-to-Benefit test. Basic skills bridge programs could be designed to help students earn the critical six credits.

Policies to Promote Adult Education and Postsecondary Alignment
This Policy Brief by Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) focuses on helping adults with lower skills and/ or limited English proficiency earn postsecondary credentials that open doors to family-supporting jobs. It examines obstacles to moving toward this goal -- with major attention to lack of alignment between federal and state adult education efforts, job training services, and postsecondary education policies.

Funding Career Pathways and Career Pathway Bridges: A Federal Policy Toolkit for States
This very useful resource developed by the Center of law and Social Policy (CLASP) in 2010 helps to identify and use federal resources. It includes summaries of ten federal programs administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.    CLASP develops and advocates for federal, state and local policies to strengthen families and create pathways to education and work.

To Ensure America’s Future: Building a National Opportunity System for Adults: Strengthening Links between Adult Education and Community College
Highlights of this 2005 report by the Council for Advancement for Adult Literacy (CAAL) include a review of key public policy issues on transition, and the transition roles for Adult Education, Community College, State and Federal government.

Strategies for Transitioning Adult Education Students to Postsecondary Opportunities
This report summarizes the information generated among state directors of adult education through the Office of Vocational and Adult Education sponsored Listserv discussion held July 21, through August 1, 2008.