Located in:
- Program-specific Requirements for Adult Education and Family Literacy Act Programs
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include a description of the following as it pertains to adult education and literacy programs and activities under title II of WIOA, the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA).
- b. Local Activities
Describe how the State will, using the considerations specified in section 231(e) of WIOA, fund each eligible provider to establish or operate programs that provide any of the following adult education and literacy activities identified in section 203 of WIOA, including programs that provide such activities concurrently. The Unified or Combined State Plan must include at a minimum the scope, content, and organization of these local activities.
- b. Local Activities
b. Adult Education and Literacy Activities (Section 203 of WIOA)
- Adult education;
- Literacy;
- Workplace adult education and literacy activities;
- Family literacy activities;
- English language acquisition activities;
- Integrated English literacy and civics education;
- Workforce preparation activities; or
- Integrated education and training that—
- Provides adult education and literacy activities, concurrently and contextually with both, workforce preparation activities, and workforce training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster, and
- Is for the purpose of educational and career advancement.
Special Rule. Each eligible agency awarding a grant or contract under this section shall not use any funds made available under this title for adult education and literacy activities for the purpose of supporting or providing programs, services, or activities for individuals who are under the age of 16 and are enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under State law, except that such agency may use such funds for such purpose if such programs, services, or activities are related to family literacy activities. In providing family literacy activities under this title, an eligible provider shall attempt to coordinate with programs and services that are not assisted under this title prior to using funds for adult education and literacy activities under this title for activities other than activities for eligible individuals.
Current Narrative:
DESE AEL follows the considerations specified in section 231(e) of WIOA to create local provider bid specifications. Each local provider must respond to each consideration in their application and the responses are evaluated and scored prior to awarding grants/contracts. Each applicant must provide one or more of the Adult Education and Literacy Activities (Section 203 of WIOA).
During the application process, local program applicants must describe services they plan to provide and how they meet each of the considerations for those activities. Each activity is defined in the Invitation for Bids as described in Section 203 of the Act and includes
- adult education;
- literacy;
- workplace adult education and literacy activities;
- family literacy activities;
- English language acquisition activities;
- Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE);
- workforce preparation activities; and,
- Integrated Education and Training (IET).
Missouri DESE AEL strives for its students’ success through dedicated staff at all local programs who assist with transition to post-secondary options and employment opportunities. Local transition staff also provide appropriate referrals and co-enrollment for students with partner programs such as Title I through the MJCs and Title IV MVR.
All adult education, literacy, and English language acquisition activities throughout the state have an integrated workforce component. Based on regional needs, workforce preparation activities are provided in a variety of ways. Often, Title I delivers workforce preparation services with Title II students in attendance, offering an opportunity for co-enrollment. In other areas, the Adult Education provider directly delivers the workforce preparation activities. Title I and Title II programs may refer students to each other’s program for services as appropriate and aim for co-enrollment.
All Missouri adult education, literacy, and English language acquisition activities must use DESE College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS) as their instructional foundation. Instructors must be certified DESE Adult Education teachers which requires professional development on integrating CCRS into Missouri’s adult classrooms. DESE AEL monitors professional development activities and the application of CCRS in local adult classrooms.
Missouri Title II also funds a limited number of Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE) programs which must include Integrated Education and Training (IET) as a workforce component. IELCE improves students’ English language skills, prepares them to be successful as a United States citizen and provides workplace preparation in a chosen career pathway. As students reach skill levels necessary for success, they receive appropriate referrals to Title I services or directly to employment and post-secondary opportunities. The English language acquisition component of IELCE must align with CCRS. Curriculum and instructional materials for the civics component must, at a minimum, include instruction on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and civic participation. The civics educational component must also include basic instruction and materials in US history, workforce preparation activities and align to the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education’s (OCTAE) Employability Skills framework.
DESE AEL local programs make career pathway activities available to appropriate students using two targeted strategies. Local programs must provide IET and/or workplace literacy and preparation concurrently with adult education, literacy and English language acquisition activities. Local programs work closely with their local WDB creating career pathways based on regional sector strategies guided by industry and occupational demands.
WIOA partners collaborate at the local level to align and create pathways meeting the needs of students with the ultimate goal of employment in an in-demand occupation. Adult Education and English language acquisition activities must utilize contextualized learning curriculum and materials based on the chosen sector strategies of the region. This allows Title II to align with the other WIOA partners in the local region. Eligible providers must describe the methods used to meet these requirements in their grant/contract application. Where appropriate, Title II partners with Title I to provide the workforce training piece of IET. Since Title II funds in Missouri cannot pay tuition for the skill training component, in some local regions, Title II partners with Title I to provide workforce literacy and preparation activities.