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Connecticut State Plan for Adult Education and Family Literacy

Title II of the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Public Law 105-220 requires each state to submit a five-year plan for adult education to the U.S. Department of Education. Moreover, in Connecticut, state legislation mandates the provision of adult education services, free of charge, to any adult 17 years of age or older who is not enrolled in a public elementary or secondary school program. Connecticut utilizes federal adult education funds to expand program offerings and give a wide variety of agencies the opportunity to offer locally responsive programs.

Because WIA has not been reauthorized, Connecticut's Initial state plan for FY 2001 through 2004 has been updated with one-year extension plans that have been submitted beginning with Fiscal Year 2004-05.

Title II of outlines the following three core indicators of performance for adult education programs:

  1. demonstrated improvements in literacy skill levels; 
  2. placement in, retention in, or completion of postsecondary education, training, unsubsidized employment or career advancement; and
  3. receipt of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent. 

For each of these core indicators, states must negotiate performance targets based on the percentage of students who will achieve that indicator. Connecticut's negotiated performance levels for a fiscal year are included in its State Plan revision for that particular year (see below):

Workforce Investment Act 

The purpose of Title II - Adult Education and Family Literacy Act is to create partnerships to:

  • assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency;
  • assist adults who are parents to obtain the educational skills necessary to become full partners in the educational development of their children; and
  • assist adults in the completion of a secondary school education.

The Adult Education and Family Literacy Act is designed to provide opportunities for the improvement of educational programs and services for adults who lack the level of basic skills and literacy necessary for effective citizenship and productive employment. The term "adult education" means services or instruction below the postsecondary level for individuals who are 17 years of age and are not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under state law, lack sufficient mastery of basic educational skills to function effectively in society, and do not have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent.