Adult Education and Family Literacy Act Program

Adult Education and Literacy Activities

Scope: All organizations receiving WIOA Title II funds, hereinafter “local providers,” will offer Adult Education and Literacy Activities.

Content: Adult Education and Literacy Activities will include instruction in reading, writing, numeracy, and problem–solving at Educational Functioning Levels[1] appropriate to learners.

Organization: The organization of Adult Education and Literacy Activities may vary according to the populations served and the resources available, but all programs will use managed enrollment and the components of the Kansas Proficiency Attainment Model[2]: pre–enrollment, orientation, assessment, instructional planning, instruction, test–taking, and transition. Some programs will provide expanded transition services including career navigators and college success classes.

Workplace Adult Education and Literacy Activities

Scope: Local providers may offer Workplace Adult Education and Literacy Activities in partnership with employers or employee organizations. The scope of Workplace Adult Education and Literacy Activities will be determined by the interest of external partners.

Content: The content of Workplace Adult Education and Literacy Activities will include contextualized literacy, English language acquisition, and workforce preparation at Educational Functioning Levels appropriate to learners as negotiated between the Adult Education provider and the employer or employee organization partner(s).

Organization: Workplace Adult Education and Literacy Activities will be organized at a workplace or an off–site location in collaboration between local providers and their partners, but will meet the state requirements for managed enrollment contained in the Kansas Proficiency Attainment Model: pre–enrollment, orientation, assessment, instructional planning, instruction, test–taking, and transition.

Family Literacy Activities

Scope: Local providers may offer Family Literacy Activities in partnership with other agencies or organizations including the Kansas Department of Education Migrant Education Program, local school districts, and public libraries. The scope of Family Literacy Activities will be determined by the interest of external partners.

Content: To receive Kansas Adult Education performance–based funding for family literacy outcomes, local programs must offer basic academic skills as well as interactive literacy activities between parents or family members and their children, training for parents or family members about their roles as the primary teachers of their children and full partners in the education of their children, and age–appropriate education to prepare children for success.[3]

Organization: Family Literacy Activities will be organized collaboratively between local providers and their partners, but will meet the state requirements for managed enrollment and the Kansas Proficiency Attainment Model: pre–enrollment, orientation, assessment, instructional planning, instruction, test–taking, and transition.

English Language Acquisition Activities

Scope: All local providers will offer English Language Acquisition Activities if there is a sufficient number of adult English language learners in their service areas.

Content: English Language Acquisition Activities will include instruction in reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in the English language at appropriate Educational Functioning Levels. The purposes of instruction will include attainment of the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma, transition to postsecondary education and training, or employment.

Organization: The organization of English Language Acquisition Activities may vary according to the populations served and the resources available, but all programs will use managed enrollment and the other components of the Kansas Proficiency Attainment Model: pre–enrollment, orientation, assessment, instructional planning, instruction, and transition. Some programs will provide expanded transition services including career navigators and college success classes.

Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education Activities

Scope: Local providers who can demonstrate adequate numbers of adult English language learners in their service areas may apply to offer Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education Activities. The State will fund at least six providers in areas of greatest need.

Content: Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education Activities will include instruction in language skills needed to function effectively as parents, workers, and citizens in the United States. Instruction delivered at Educational Functioning Levels appropriate to learners will include the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and civic participation and may include workforce training.

Organization: The organization of Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education Activities may vary according to the populations served and the resources available, but all programs will use managed enrollment and the components of the Kansas Proficiency Attainment Model: pre–enrollment, orientation, assessment, instructional planning, instruction, and transition.

Workforce Preparation Activities

Scope: All local providers will offer Workforce Preparation Activities.

Content: Workforce Preparation Activities will include basic academic skills, critical thinking skills, digital literacy skills, and self–management skills at Educational Functioning Levels appropriate to their learners. Self–management will include competencies in utilizing resources, using information, working with others, understanding systems, and obtaining skills necessary for successful transition into and completion of postsecondary education or training, or employment.

Organization: The organization of Workforce Preparation Activities may vary according to the populations served and the resources available, but all programs will use managed enrollment and the components of the Kansas Proficiency Attainment Model: pre–enrollment, orientation, assessment, instructional planning, instruction, test–taking, and transition. Some programs will provide expanded transition services including career navigators and college success classes.

Integrated Education and Training Activities

Scope: At least half of the current local providers, which will be chosen using an RFP process that gives a high value consideration to Integrated Education and Training Activities, will offer Integrated Education and Training Activities in a career pathways model.

Content: Integrated Education and Training Activities will include instruction in basic academic skills and/or English language acquisition skills, workforce preparation activities, and workforce training contextualized for specific occupations or occupational clusters. Instruction will be offered at Educational Functioning Levels appropriate to learners. The purpose of instruction will be education and career advancement.

Organization: Integrated Education and Training Activities will meet the state requirements for managed enrollment and the Kansas Proficiency Attainment Model: pre–enrollment, orientation, assessment, instructional planning, instruction, test–taking, and transition. Instruction for learners who enroll in pathways available in the Accelerating Opportunity: Kansas (AO–K) model will include co–enrollment in postsecondary career technical education courses team–taught by basic skills and career technical instructors. Some programs will provide expanded transition services including career navigators and college success classes.