Narrative: III. b. 5. B. i.

The MPWS distributes AEL funds through a three-year competitive grant/contract cycle completed in May 2023. Eligible service providers within the state are funded, enabling the development, implementation, and improvement of local adult education and literacy activities. Applications are competitive, open, and available to all eligible applicants. AEL awards grant/contract allocations for one year, with two one-year renewal opportunities based on program performance and available funding.

Eligible service providers must use the funding to establish or operate programs that provide adult education and literacy activities and English language acquisition concurrently with civics and workplace training for the MPWS.

Through the competitive grant process, the MPWS ensures that:

1.  all eligible service providers have direct and equitable access to apply and compete for grants/contracts;

2.  all eligible service providers experience the same grant/contract announcement and application process; and

3.  all eligible service providers must only use funds awarded by the MPWS through grants/contracts for adult education and literacy activities.

Available funding is divided among Local Workforce Regions, allowing the MPWS to ensure equitably distributed AEL service delivery to Missouri residents. Utilizing MERIC demographic data, which counts the number of residents in each Missouri county without a secondary credential and those who are English learners, the MPWS determines the proportion of need for each county and then assigns a corresponding funding proportion to each of the appropriate LWDBs. The MPWS designates each AEL provider applicant to geographically relevant LWDBs, including the geographic need distribution in the funding formula.

The MPWS determines AEL allocations based on the ranking of applications received, which is determined by scoring the applications. The standardized scoring scale includes regional needs based on MERIC data, prior performance, budget, program operations, and alignment with the local workforce and WIOA partnerships. Local programs offer virtual classes to fill geographic gaps, and the state sponsors MOLearns, a virtual platform for adult basic/secondary education provided statewide.

In compliance with 34 CFR part 463 Subpart C, when awarding grants or contracts for adult education and literacy activities to eligible service providers, the MPWS considers the following:

1.  The degree to which the eligible provider is responsive to:         

a. regional needs as identified in the local workforce development plan; and

b. serving individuals in the community who are identified in such plan as the most in need of adult education and literacy activities, including individuals who have low levels of literacy skills or are English language learners.

2.  The ability of the eligible provider to serve eligible individuals with disabilities, including those with learning disabilities;

3.  The past effectiveness of the eligible provider in improving the literacy of eligible individuals, especially those individuals who have low levels of literacy, and the degree to which those improvements contribute to meeting the state’s adjusted levels of performance for the primary performance indicators;

4.  The extent to which the eligible provider demonstrates alignment between proposed activities and services and the strategy and goals of the local plan under section 108 of WIOA, as well as the activities and services of the one-stop partners;

5.  Whether the eligible provider’s program:  

a. is of sufficient intensity and quality and based on the most rigorous research available so that participants achieve substantial learning gains; and

b. uses instructional practices that include the essential components of reading instruction;

6.  Whether the eligible provider’s activities, including whether reading, writing, speaking, mathematics, and English language acquisition instruction delivered by the eligible provider, are based on the best practices derived from the most rigorous research available, including scientifically valid research and effective educational practice;

7.  Whether the eligible provider’s activities effectively use technology, services, and delivery systems, including distance education, in a manner sufficient to increase the amount and quality of learning, and how such technology, services, and systems lead to improved performance;

8.  Whether the eligible provider’s activities offer learning in context, including through integrated education and training, so that an individual acquires the skills needed to transition to and complete postsecondary education and training programs, obtain and advance in employment leading to economic self-sufficiency, and to exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship;

9.  Whether the eligible provider’s activities are delivered by instructors, counselors, and administrators who meet any minimum qualifications established by Missouri, where applicable, and who have access to high-quality professional development, including through electronic means;

10. Whether the eligible provider coordinates with other available education, training, and social service resources in the community to develop career pathways, such as by establishing strong links with elementary and secondary schools; postsecondary educational institutions; institutions of higher education; local WDBs; one-stop centers; job training programs and social service agencies; business; industry; labor organizations; community-based organizations; nonprofit organizations; and intermediaries;

11. Whether the eligible provider’s activities offer the flexible schedules and coordination with federal, state, and local support services, such as child care, transportation, mental health services, and career planning, that are necessary to enable individuals, including individuals with disabilities or other special needs, to attend and complete programs;

12. Whether the eligible provider will enter data and use reports from LACES (student data management information system) and monitor program performance; and

13. Whether the local area in which the eligible provider is located has a demonstrated need for additional English language acquisition programs and civics education programs.

Within its grant/contract competition, the MPWS requires the submission of all applications for AEL funds to the appropriate local WDBs for review.

The process includes:

1.   submission of the applications to the appropriate local WDB for its review of consistency with the local plan within a reasonable timeframe; and

2.   an opportunity for the local WDB to make recommendations to AEL that promote alignment with the local plan.

Missouri considers the local WDB review results to determine the extent to which the application addresses the required considerations. Eligible providers seeking a grant/contract must submit an application to the MPWS containing information and assurances, including:

1.  a description of how funds awarded under this title will be spent consistent with the requirements of AEFLA, Title II of WIOA;

2.  a description of any cooperative arrangements the eligible provider has with other agencies, institutions, or organizations for the delivery of adult education and literacy activities;

3.  a description of how the eligible provider will deliver services in alignment with the local workforce development plan, including how such provider will promote co-enrollment in programs and activities under Title I as appropriate;

4.  a description of how the eligible provider will meet the state-adjusted levels of performance for the primary indicators of performance;

5.  a description of how the eligible provider will fulfill, as appropriate, required one-stop partner responsibilities to  

1. 1. provide access through the one-stop delivery system to adult education and literacy activities;
   2. in accordance with the methods agreed upon by the local WDB and described in the memorandum of understanding, use a portion of the funds made available under the Act to maintain the one-stop delivery system, including payment of the infrastructure costs for the one-stop centers, where appropriate;
   3. enter into a local memorandum of understanding with the local WDB relating to the operations of the one-stop system;
   4. participate in the operation of the one-stop system consistent with the terms of the memorandum of understanding, and the requirements of WIOA; and
   5. have a willingness to provide representation to the local WDB if asked by the state agency;

6.  a description of how the eligible provider will deliver services in a manner that meets the needs of eligible individuals;

7.  information that addresses the 13 considerations; and

8.  documentation of the activities required for local board review.

In addition to geographic need as determined by MERIC data and grant scores, the MPWS includes proposed cost per student, proposed enrollment, and Labor Market Information (LMI) as it pertains to Integrated Education and Training (IET) programming in its AEL funding formula.

Only organizations that have demonstrated effectiveness in providing adult education and literacy activities may apply for a grant/contract. These organizations may include, but are not limited to:

• a local educational agency;
• a community-based organization or faith-based organization;
• a volunteer literacy organization;
• an institution of higher education;
• a public or private nonprofit agency;
• a library;
• a public housing authority;
• a nonprofit institution that is not described above and has the ability to provide adult education and literacy activities to eligible individuals;
• a consortium or coalition of the agencies, organizations, institutions, libraries, or authorities described above; and
• a partnership between an employer and an entity described above.

To demonstrate past effectiveness, an eligible provider must provide past performance data that includes skills improvement of eligible individuals, particularly eligible individuals who have low levels of literacy, in the content domains of reading, writing, mathematics, English language acquisition, and other subject areas relevant to the services contained in the state’s application for funds.

An eligible provider must also provide information regarding its outcomes for participants related to employment, attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and transition to postsecondary education and training.

There are two ways in which an eligible provider may meet the requirements of this section:

1. AEL considers the provider's past performance that has been previously funded under Title II of WIOA, including performance data required under Section 116 of WIOA to demonstrate past effectiveness.
2. Eligible providers not previously funded under Title II of WIOA must provide performance data to demonstrate past effectiveness in serving basic skills deficient eligible individuals, including evidence of success in achieving outcomes listed in this section.

Timeline: The January-July 2026 timeline below is an estimate and subject to change.

• December: Invitation for Bid announcement in newspaper and website
• Late January: Pre-Bid Conference
• February-March: technical assistance provided to potential bidders
• Late March: bids due
• April: evaluate, score, and slate bids
• May: announce allocations
• July 1, 2026: begin AEL grant/contract cycle.