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 eligible agency will, using the considerations specified in section 231(e) of WIOA and in accordance with 34 CFR 463 subpart C, 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:
The MPWS distributes AEL (Sec. 231), Corrections Education (Sec. 225), and IELCE (Sec. 243) funds through a three-year competitive grant/contract cycle, most recently completed in May 2023, as described in Core Element Section III of this plan. 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. 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.
Using the 13 considerations specified in section 231(e) of WIOA and 34 CFR 463 subpart C, the MPWS creates local AEL provider bid specifications. Applicants must respond to each consideration, and the MPWS evaluates responses before awarding grants. Each funded program commits to providing one or more of the Adult Education and Literacy Activities (Section 203 of WIOA). Applicants for AEL funding describe the delivery of allowable services and must address each of the considerations for the provided activities. The MPWS defines the eight WIOA Title II services in the Invitation for Bids described in Section 203 of the Act and ensures equitable access to those services through the AEL network of providers.
Available funds are divided by LWDB region based on need. Then, the MPWS determines local AEL allocations based on the ranking of applications received, established by scoring the applications. The standardized scoring scale includes regional needs based on MERIC data, demonstrated effectiveness, budget, program operations, LWDB review, alignment with the local workforce, and WIOA partnerships.
Through AEL service providers, the MPWS delivers adult education, literacy, IET, workforce preparation activities, workplace AEL, and English language acquisition. Four local programs provide Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE). The MPWS integrates basic and secondary education with participants’ educational goals and their identified career pathways. In many cases, the integration of services leads to secondary attainment and an industry-recognized credential or post-secondary enrollment. The MPWS supports these efforts through policy, educator certification, professional development, data analysis, monitoring, partnership development, and maintaining a network of adult educators.
- Adult education
The MPWS has 29 providers of adult education services with over 175 physical and virtual classes. More than 500 educators receive innovative professional development from the MPWS to ensure students have the skills needed for secondary school attainment. Adult education curricula must incorporate CCR standards into instruction, and the MPWS monitors service delivery and student outcomes.
- Literacy
Literacy is the core of AEL programming for the MPWS. All programs providing adult education activities focus on literacy as the primary skill to continue education into adulthood. With the creation of the Office of Literacy at DESE, support for these efforts is growing with a focus on the science of reading. Each AEL classroom and lesson utilizes the latest literacy research for Missouri’s 10,000 plus adult learners annually.
- Workplace adult education and literacy activities
Through AEL service providers, the MPWS offers adult education and English acquisition as an employer service to recruit and retain employees. The MPWS identifies employers with team members lacking the skills to progress in their career pathway. AEL providers set up classrooms on-site and provide education, most often English acquisition, delivering mutual benefit to adult students and the employer. All programs in Missouri are equipped for these services when the need arises.
- Family literacy activities
The MPWS utilizes all of its WIOA Title II resources on other AEL services and does not fund Family Literacy. Local programs coordinate with other services and funding to meet this need.
- English language acquisition activities
The MPWS has seen a 90% increase in enrollment for English language students since 2020. Statewide AEL support of services designed to meet the needs of these adult students has increased through assessments, educator professional development, partnerships, and data analysis. The MPWS is equipped, through AEL service providers, to serve over 5,000 English students and is prepared to address more growth.
- Integrated English literacy and civics education
The MPWS funds four local AEL programs offering Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE) that span Missouri’s geography. These programs prepare approximately 700 students annually for a career and a successful life in the United States. AEL grant specifications require the provision of IELCE services collectively with integrated education and training (IET) activities. It is a priority that IELCE services combine with IET activities that serve the current needs of students and the community. Local IELCE service providers strive to help adult learners through partnerships for supportive services, workplace literacy, and occupational skills training. The local provider must have instructional materials aligning with the Employability Skills Framework.
- Workforce preparation activities
The MPWS requires that AEL providers integrate workforce preparation activities into all adult education, literacy, and English language acquisition activities. Depending on the local area, Title I may provide workforce preparation activities through the co-enrollment of Title II students. In other regions, the AEL provider delivers workforce preparation activities. The MPWS monitors the implementation of workforce preparation in AEL classrooms and uses follow-up outcomes to evaluate success.
- Integrated education and training
The MPWS developed a five-year strategic plan to expand Integrated Education and Training (IET) and ensure quality of services. AEL providers offer IETS in all areas of the state that focus on workforce development needs identified in the local plan, such as manufacturing, healthcare, IT, and logistics. Through technical assistance and professional development, the MPWS continues to push AEL service providers to develop partnerships that will lead to more IET programming to expand the reach beyond a few dozen participants.