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Laws & Guidance

Section 202 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) states that the purpose of the program is to--

  • Assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills for employment and economic self-sufficiency; 
  • Support the educational and skill achievement of parents and family members to participate in the educational development of their children and improve economic opportunities for families; 
  • Assist immigrants and English learners in improving their English and math proficiency and understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship; and 
  • Assist incarcerated individuals in strengthening their knowledge and skills to promote successful re-entry into society. 

As title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and one of six core programs authorized by WIOA, AEFLA also plays an integral role in the workforce development system by providing access to educational services for adult learners through the one-stop delivery system. While playing a critical role in adult attainment of a secondary school diploma, AEFLA also aims to assist in the transition to postsecondary education and training through the use of career pathways. 

Thus, AEFLA works collaboratively with all core programs across three major areas of WIOA implementation: Unified and Combined State Plans, Performance Accountability, and Shared One-Stop Provisions. The U.S. departments of Labor and Education collectively issued regulations to implement joint provisions of WIOA which can be found at 34 CFR Part 463 subparts H – J Unified and Combined State Plans, Performance Accountability, and the One-Stop System Joint Provisions

AEFLA Program-Specific Regulations, 34 CFR Part 463, subparts A-G, guide adult education and literacy activities, local competitions under AEFLA, corrections education, and the Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education program. AEFLA Regulations 34 CFR Part 462, Measuring Educational Gain in the National Reporting System for Adult Education, establish the process the Secretary of Education uses to determine the suitability of tests for use in the National Reporting System (NRS), as well as the requirements states and local providers must follow when using NRS approved tests to measure educational gain.

Additionally, the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) at the U. S. Department of Education issues Program Guidance and Policy Memoranda concerning the implementation of AEFLA under WIOA.