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119-s-1400119th CongressWALLET

Adult Education WORKS Act

Sponsored By: Senator Reed, Jack [D-RI]

Introduced

Summary

Strengthens and funds adult education by expanding Title II, embedding digital and information literacy, and creating library- and community-based college and career navigators. It pushes professional standards for adult educators and aligns adult education more tightly with the workforce system to boost credential attainment and job connections.

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  • Adults and families: Expands access to career navigation, digital literacy, and information literacy so adult learners can combine education and training, pursue recognized credentials, and get help with postsecondary transitions. Programs will track measurable skill gains and post-exit outcomes.
  • Libraries and community organizations: Allows public libraries and community groups to be official one-stop partners and host navigator services, including mobile sites, to reach remote or transportation-disadvantaged communities.
  • Educators and state/local systems: Requires professionalization and voluntary credentialing for adult educators, new staffing models and career ladders, clearer state and local board collaboration, and standardized participant reporting across core programs.

*Authorizes increased federal spending, setting Title II funding at $810 million in FY2026 rising to $1.4 billion in FY2030 and adding a separate $135 million per year for navigators for FY2026–FY2030.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Bigger Title II funding and definitions

This bill would authorize much larger annual grants for adult education (Title II). It sets funding at $810 million for FY2026, $945 million for FY2027, $1.08 billion for FY2028, $1.215 billion for FY2029, and $1.35 billion for FY2030. It would also raise a reserved Title II line from $15 million to $25 million. The bill would add and clarify definitions like "college placement level," "foundational skill needs," and digital and information literacy.

Grants for library career navigators

This bill would create grants to place college and career navigators in public libraries and community groups. It would authorize $135 million per year starting in FY2026 for these grants. Local workforce boards could partner with libraries and use local funds when libraries show they provide workforce services and space for navigators.

Stronger state and board rules

This bill would require State plans and local boards to cover family literacy, digital skills, and how training costs are shared. It would push States to support teacher credentialing, career ladders, and allow local admin funds for professional development. States must post non-Federal contributions for adult education online. Local officials must post board membership and explain public comments in plans.

New performance rules and pilots

This bill would make Title II adult education follow WIOA performance rules and set measurable skill-gain and after-exit indicators. States could use interim adult-education indicators. Agencies could run five-year pilot accountability systems with a 90-day decision timeline. The bill funds national help, evaluations, and grants to support these pilots and improve data reporting.

Allow digital and information literacy

This bill would explicitly allow digital literacy and information literacy training as part of workforce and adult education programs. If enacted, programs could offer courses on using technology, finding and judging information, and safe digital habits as part of job and literacy training.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Reed, Jack [D-RI]

RI • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 4/9/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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