S. 1400

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to strengthen adult education.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES · April 9, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Reed · Committee: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

SEC. 1. Short title

SEC. 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the or the "Adult Education Workforce Opportunity and Reskilling for Knowledge and Success Act" or "Adult Education WORKS Act".

SEC. 101. Workforce development activities

Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this section an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.).

(b) Definitions

(1) Section 3 (29 U.S.C. 3102) is amended— (A) by striking paragraph (5); (B) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (9) as paragraphs (5) through (8), respectively; (C) by inserting after paragraph (8), as redesignated by subparagraph (B), the following:

(9) The term college and career navigator means an individual who— (A) has extensive knowledge of workforce development programs and services, postsecondary programs and services, Federal and other student financial aid for postsecondary education, and case management techniques; (B) supports persons who are accessing services under this Act, by gathering work history and skills information, providing tailored college and career guidance and labor market information, helping jobseekers identify training and educational options to best fit their needs, including Federal student aid and other assistance available to pay the costs of attendance at an institution of higher education or for participation in training, facilitating access to services, and facilitating co-enrollment of individuals in programs carried out under title I and title II; (C) provides or organizes provision of services to promote job readiness, digital literacy skills, information literacy skills, and the skills needed for success in postsecondary education, facilitates the successful transition of individuals to postsecondary education, coordinates activities with employers and with entities and individuals involved in the one-stop delivery system in the local area, and conducts community outreach; and (D) as determined appropriate by the one-stop operator or eligible provider of adult education and literacy activities involved, is responsible for recruitment of students in adult education and literacy activities and participants in workforce investment activities, provision of intensive case management, provision of career exploration services, and data collection associated with an activity specified in this subparagraph.; (D) by redesignating paragraphs (12) through (14), (15) through (21), (22) through (26), and (27) through (71), as paragraphs (13) through (15), (17) through (23), (25) through (29), and (31) through (75), respectively; (E) by inserting after paragraph (11) the following: (12) The term concurrent enrollment has the meaning given the term in section 203.; (F) by inserting after paragraph (15), as redesignated by subparagraph (D), the following: (16) The term digital literacy skills has the meaning given the term in section 203.; (G) by inserting after paragraph (23), as redesignated by subparagraph (D), the following: (24) The term , used with respect to an individual, means— foundational skill needs (A) in the case of an individual who is a youth, an individual who has English reading, writing, or computing skills at or below the 8th grade level on a generally accepted standardized test; or (B) in the case of an individual who is a youth or adult, an individual who is unable to compute or solve problems, or read, write, or speak English, at a level necessary to function on the job, in the individual’s family, or in society.; and (H) by inserting after paragraph (29), as redesignated by subparagraph (D), the following: (30) The term information literacy skills has the meaning given the term in section 203..

(2) Conforming amendments (A) Section 121(h)(2)(C)(ii) (29 U.S.C. 3151(h)(2)(C)(ii)) is amended by striking "section 3(13)(D)" and inserting "section 3(14)(D)" . (B) Section 134(c)(3)(H)(i) (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(3)(H)(i)) is amended by striking "section 3(44)" and inserting "section 3(48)" . (C) Section 170(b)(1)(D)(i) (29 U.S.C. 3225(b)(1)(D)(i)) is amended by striking "section 3(15)(E)" and inserting "section 3(17)(E)" . (D) Section 211(e)(3) (29 U.S.C. 3291(e)(3)) is amended by striking "section 3(45)" and inserting "section 3(49)" .

(c) State workforce development boards

Section 101 (29 U.S.C. 3111) is amended— (1) in subsection (b)(1)(C)(ii)(IV), by inserting after ; and

(2) in subsection (d)— (A) in paragraph (7)(A), by striking ; (B) in paragraph (11), by striking "and" at the end; (C) by redesignating paragraph (12) as paragraph (13); and (D) by inserting after paragraph (11) the following:

(12) in collaboration with providers of adult education and literacy activities, the promotion of the employment of college and career navigators by the one-stop centers in the State; and.

(d) Program specifics for State plans

Section 102(b)(2) (29 U.S.C. 3112(b)(2)) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (D)(ii)— (A) in subclause (II), by striking item (dd) and inserting the following:

; (B) in subclause (V), by adding at the end; and "and" (C) by adding at the end the following: (VI) how the eligible agency will promote, through funding priority or other means, professionalization of adult education and literacy activities through the adoption of staffing models that include requirements and support for teacher credentialing, standards, and support for ongoing in-service professional development, and career ladders for professional growth, which may include more opportunities for full-time teaching positions;; and

(2) in subparagraph (E)(iii)(II), by inserting after .

(e) Local boards

Section 107 (29 U.S.C. 3122) is amended— (1) in subsection (c)(1), by adding at the end the following:

(D) The chief elected officials appointing the local board for a local area shall make publicly available information on the membership of the board (including information identifying how the membership composition requirements of subsection (b) have been met), including by posting that information on the website of each unit of general local government included in the local area.; and

(2) in subsection (d)— (A) in paragraph (5), by striking "secondary and postsecondary education" and inserting "secondary, postsecondary, and adult education" ; (B) in paragraph (7)(C)— (i) by inserting after ; (ii) by inserting after ; and (iii) by inserting after ; and (C) by adding at the end the following:

(14) The local board, in collaboration with providers of adult education and literacy activities in the local area, shall promote the employment of college and career navigators by the one-stop centers and eligible providers (as defined in section 203) in the local area..

(f) Local plans

Section 108 (29 U.S.C. 3123) is amended— (1) in subsection (b)(13), by inserting after ; and

(2) in subsection (d)(3), by inserting after .

(g) Indicators of performance

Section 116(b)(2)(A) (29 U.S.C. 3141(b)(2)(A)) is amended— (1) in clause (i), by striking subclauses (IV) and (V) and inserting the following:

(IV) the percentages of program participants who, during participation in the program— (V) the percentages of program participants who, within 1 year after exit from the program—;

(2) by striking clause (iii) and inserting the following:

(iii) A State may develop interim indicators for measuring the percentage of program participants on track to meet the indicators described in subclauses (IV) and (V) of clause (i) for adult education and literacy activities authorized under title II.; and

(3) in clause (iv), by striking "clauses (i)(VI)" and inserting "clause (i)(VI)" .

(h) Common participant individual record layout

Section 116 (29 U.S.C. 3141) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(j) Common participant individual record layout The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education shall establish a common reporting system that covers, and that accommodates, the core programs, relating to participant records and the performance accountability measures described in subsection (b)..

(i) One-Stop delivery systems

Section 121 (29 U.S.C. 3151) is amended— (1) in subsection (d)(2)(B)— (A) by redesignating clauses (ii) through (vi) as clauses (iii) through (vii), respectively; and (B) by inserting after clause (i) the following:

(ii) a public library;; and

(2) in subsection (e)— (A) in paragraph (2)(B)— (i) in clause (i), by striking "and" at the end; (ii) in clause (ii), by striking the semicolon and inserting ; and (iii) by adding at the end the following: (B) by adding at the end the following:

(5) A local board may use funds made available under subsection (h) to make programs, activities, and services available through a public library to the extent such library demonstrates to the local board— (A) that the library provides or will provide career services or other workforce development activities to address unmet need for such services or activities, such as by providing career services and other workforce development activities to individuals at days or times, and locations, at which the services or activities are not otherwise made available through the corresponding one-stop partners; (B) that the library will provide a physical location within the library, which may include a mobile library site, in which to serve individuals seeking services provided by a college and career navigator; and (C) the library's ability to leverage additional resources, such as staff, facilities, computer access, or learning materials, in order to extend the level of services otherwise provided through the local one-stop delivery system, particularly to geographically distant communities, communities for which physical one-stop centers are not easily accessible through public transportation, or communities in which there is inadequate access for the level of services needed..

(j) Digital literacy skills; information literacy skills

Section 134(c) (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (2)(A)— (A) in clause (iii), by inserting after ; and (B) in clause (xii)(VI), by inserting after ; and

(2) in paragraph (3)(D)— (A) by redesignating clauses (x) and (xi) as clauses (xii) and (xiii), respectively; and (B) by inserting after clause (ix) the following:

(x) digital literacy skills training; and (xi) information literacy skills training;.

(k) Library-Based and community-Based college and career navigators

Subtitle D of title I is amended by inserting after section 171 (29 U.S.C. 3226) the following:

SEC. 171A.. Library-based and community-based college and career navigators (a) Purpose The purpose of this section is to expand the capacity of State and local workforce development systems by leveraging the facilities and staff of libraries and community-based organizations to provide career navigation services to individuals through library-based and community-based college and career navigators. (b) Eligible entity In this section, the term eligible entity means a partnership between a State board or local board and 1 or more of the following: (1) A community-based organization.

(2) A library (as defined in section 213 of the Library Services and Technology Act (20 U.S.C. 9122)) that offers workforce development activities at no cost to individuals. (c) Grants authorized From funds made available under section 172(g), the Secretary is authorized to make grants to eligible entities to carry out the purpose of this section. (d) Application To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (e) Uses of funds (1) An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use funds made available through the grant to establish a college and career navigator program within the library, community-based organization, or agency that is a partner of such eligible entity.

(2) A college and career navigator program established under paragraph (1) may hire, train, support, or retain 1 or more college and career navigators to provide career navigation services in coordination with a State or local workforce development system..

(l) Authorization of appropriations

Section 172 (20 U.S.C. 3227) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(g) Library-Based and community-Based navigators There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 171A, $135,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years..

SEC. 201. Purpose

Section 202(1) of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 3271(1)) is amended— (1) by inserting after ; and

(2) by striking "and economic self-sufficiency" and inserting ", economic self-sufficiency, and full participation in all aspects of adult life" .

SEC. 202. Definitions

Section 203 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 3272) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) by striking "postsecondary level" and inserting "college placement level" ; (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking after the semicolon; (C) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (E); and (D) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:

(C) develop and use digital literacy skills; (D) develop and use information literacy skills; and;

(2) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (9) and (10) through (17) as paragraphs (6) through (12) and (14) through (21), respectively;

(3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:

(3) The term college placement level means the level required for placement in college-level course work, rather than placement in developmental education, as demonstrated by achievement of a designated score on a placement test or other college-identified measure. (4) The term concurrent enrollment means intentional, simultaneous enrollment in more than 1 one-stop partner program, as a strategy for leveraging resources and eliminating duplication of services while achieving the best possible outcomes. (5) The term digital literacy skills means the skills associated with— (A) using technology to enable users to find, evaluate, organize, create, and communicate information; and (B) developing digital citizenship and the responsible use of technology.;

(4) in paragraph (7), as redesignated by paragraph (2), in subparagraph (C)(i), by striking "is basic skills deficient" and inserting "has foundational skills needs" ;

(5) in paragraph (9), as redesignated by paragraph (2), in subparagraph (B)(i)— (A) in subclause (I), by striking after the semicolon; (B) in subclause (II), by striking "or" and inserting "and" ; and (C) by adding at the end the following:

(III) development of digital literacy skills and information literacy skills; or;

(6) in paragraph (12), as redesignated by paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting after ;

(7) by inserting after paragraph (12), as redesignated by paragraph (2), the following:

(13) The term information literacy skills means the set of skills needed to find, retrieve, understand, evaluate, analyze, discern the reliability and accuracy of, and effectively use information (which encompasses spoken and broadcast words and videos, printed materials, and digital content, data, and images).;

(8) in paragraph (15), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by inserting after ;

(9) in paragraph (17), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by striking "and solve problems, at levels of proficiency necessary to function on the job, in the family of the individual, and in society" and inserting "solve problems, and use digital literacy skills and information literacy skills at levels of proficiency necessary to function effectively as an employee, a parent or family member, and a member of society" ; and

(10) in paragraph (21), as redesignated by paragraph (2)— (A) by inserting after ; and (B) by striking .

SEC. 203. Authorization of appropriations

Section 206 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 3275) is amended by striking "this title" and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting "this title $810,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, $945,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, inserting,080,000,000 for fiscal year 2028, inserting,215,000,000 for fiscal year 2029, and inserting,350,000,000 for fiscal year 2030." .

SEC. 204. Reservation of funds

Section 211 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 3291) is amended in subsection (a)(1), by striking "striking5,000,000" and inserting " 5,000,000" .

SEC. 205. Performance and accountability system

Section 212 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 3292) is amended to read as follows:

SEC. 212. Performance and accountability system (a) In general (1) Except as provided in subsection (b), programs and activities authorized under this title are subject to all of the performance accountability provisions described in section 116.

(2) With respect to the application to programs and activities authorized under this title of the indicator of measurable skill gains under section 116(b)(2)(A)(i)(IV), such measurable skill gains may include those relating to the purpose described in section 202. (b) Pilot for innovative performance accountability systems (1) The Secretary shall approve an application from an eligible agency to pilot, for a subset of eligible providers within its State and as an alternative to the performance accountability system described in section 116, an innovative performance accountability system that uses alternative indicators of performance that have the potential to more accurately reflect the objectives and adult education and literacy activities of the eligible providers’ programs if the Secretary determines that an application from such an eligible agency meets the requirements of this subsection.

(2) An eligible agency applying to pilot an innovative performance accountability system under this subsection shall propose in its application the period of time that the agency desires to implement such system, except that the period shall not exceed 5 years.

(3) The Secretary shall approve an eligible agency’s request to extend the period of a pilot under this subsection if the Secretary determines that the innovative performance system is meeting the objectives of this subsection.

(4) Application (A) An eligible agency desiring to undertake a pilot under this subsection shall submit an application at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require. (B) An application described in subparagraph (A) shall include— (i) a description of how the eligible agency engaged in an outreach process with eligible providers within its State to— (I) inform the eligible providers of the opportunity to implement a pilot under this subsection; and (II) engage with the eligible providers in the development of alternative indicators of performance; (ii) an explanation of whether and how the eligible agency established any standards or criteria for the alternative measures of performance that participating eligible providers could elect to use; (iii) a listing of the eligible providers that will participate in the proposed pilot and a description of the indicators of performance that each such provider will make use of through the pilot; (iv) a description of why the eligible agency and the participating eligible providers believe the proposed indicators of performance would more accurately measure the attainment of the objectives of such providers’ adult education and literacy activities than would the indicators of performance described in section 116(b)(2); (v) an explanation of how the proposed indicators of performance will be valid and reliable measures of education and employment consistent with purposes of this title; (vi) a description of how the eligible agency will collect, report to the Secretary, and make publicly available the proposed indicators of performance from each participating eligible provider on a timely basis; and (vii) an assurance that the eligible agency will, at the end of the pilot period, report to the Secretary on the outcomes of the pilot, including on whether the eligible agency met the objectives of the pilot. (C) The Secretary shall determine whether to approve an application under this subsection by not later than 90 days of receiving the application. (D) The Secretary shall not disapprove an application under this subsection without giving the applicant the opportunity to revise and resubmit the application.

(5) The Secretary shall— (A) through the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences, carry out national evaluations of the implementation and outcomes of the pilots authorized under this subsection, with the first such evaluation to be completed not later than 5 years after the Secretary approves the first application from an eligible entity; (B) in consultation with the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences, identify best practices in the development and implementation of innovative performance accountability systems under this subsection; (C) disseminate information on those practices, including by making the information available on the website of the Department of Education; and (D) provide a report to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives on the results of the pilot program, including a comparison of the outcomes as measured by the innovative performance accountability systems implemented under this subsection and the performance measures described in section 116..

SEC. 206. Matching requirement

Section 222(b) of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 3302(b)) is amended by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:

(3) Each eligible agency shall maintain, on the website of such agency and in an easily accessible format, information documenting the non-Federal contributions made available to adult education and literacy programs pursuant to this subsection, including the sources of such contributions and, in the case of funds made available by the State, the distribution of such funds to eligible providers..

SEC. 207. State leadership activities

Section 223(a) of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 3303(a)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)(C)— (A) in clause (i), by striking "programs," and inserting ", family literacy," ; and (B) in clause (iii), by inserting after ; and

(2) in paragraph (2)— (A) in subparagraph (B), by inserting after ; (B) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) through (L) and subparagraph (M), as subparagraphs (F) through (M) and subparagraph (O), respectively; (C) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:

(E) Developing content and models for family literacy programs.; (D) in subparagraph (J), as redesignated by subparagraph (B), in clause (i), by striking "and English language acquisition" and inserting "English language acquisition, digital literacy skills, and information literacy skills" ; (E) in subparagraph (K), as redesignated by subparagraph (B), by inserting after ; (F) in subparagraph (L), as redesignated by subparagraph (B)— (i) by striking "adult learners with learning disabilities or" and inserting "specific groups of adult learners, such as those with learning disabilities, those at the lowest levels of literacy, or those who are" ; and (ii) by striking "at the lowest achievement levels" and inserting "in appropriate and meaningful ways" ; and (G) by inserting after subparagraph (M), as redesignated by subparagraph (B), the following: (N) Strengthening the quality of adult education and literacy programs in the State through support for improved credentials, program quality standards, and certification and accreditation requirements..

SEC. 208. Grants and contracts for eligible providers

Section 231 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 3321) is amended— (1) in subsection (d), by striking "subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 203(4)" and inserting "subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 203(8)" ; and

(2) in subsection (e)(2), by striking "learning disabilities" and inserting "learning differences" .

SEC. 209. Local administrative cost limits

Section 233(a) of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 3323(a)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting after ; and

(2) in paragraph (2), by striking .

SEC. 210. National leadership activities

Section 242 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 3332) is amended— (1) in subsection (b)— (A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:

(1) assistance to help States meet the requirements of section 116 in order to ensure— (A) that the outcomes and other data required pursuant to section 116 are collected and reported in a timely and accessible manner; and (B) that such data are reported consistently across States and eligible providers and are reviewed for quality and consistency at the Federal level.; (B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) as paragraphs (5) through (7), respectively; and (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: (2) technical assistance to participating eligible agencies and eligible providers in implementing innovative performance accountability systems under section 212(b)(1); (3) grants to such agencies and providers to assist them in implementing such systems; (4) carrying out the national evaluations required under section 212(b)(5)(A); and

(2) in subsection (c)— (A) in paragraph (1)(C), by inserting after ; and (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) in subparagraph (C)(vii)— (I) in the matter preceding subclause (I), by striking "best practices" and inserting "effective practices" ; (II) in subclause (I), by striking "adults with learning disabilities and with" and inserting "specific populations, such as adults with learning differences, adults with the lowest levels of literacy or numeracy, adults who are supporting the education of their children, and" ; (III) by redesignating subclauses (III) and (IV) as subclauses (IV) and (V), respectively; (IV) by inserting after subclause (II) the following: (V) in subclause (IV), as redesignated by subclause (III), by inserting after ; (ii) in subparagraph (D)— (I) in clause (ii), by inserting after ; and (II) in clause (iii), by inserting after ; (iii) in subparagraph (F), by striking after the semicolon; (iv) by redesignating subparagraph (G) as subparagraph (K); and (v) by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following:

SEC. 211. Integrated English literacy and civics education

Section 243 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 3333) is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by striking ; and

(2) in subsection (c), by striking "designed" and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following: .

S. 1400

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to strengthen adult education.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES · April 9, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Reed · Committee: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

SEC. 1. Short title

SEC. 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the or the "Adult Education Workforce Opportunity and Reskilling for Knowledge and Success Act" or "Adult Education WORKS Act".

SEC. 101. Workforce development activities

(a) Amendment to WIOA

(b) Definitions

(9) The term college and career navigator means an individual who— (A) has extensive knowledge of workforce development programs and services, postsecondary programs and services, Federal and other student financial aid for postsecondary education, and case management techniques; (B) supports persons who are accessing services under this Act, by gathering work history and skills information, providing tailored college and career guidance and labor market information, helping jobseekers identify training and educational options to best fit their needs, including Federal student aid and other assistance available to pay the costs of attendance at an institution of higher education or for participation in training, facilitating access to services, and facilitating co-enrollment of individuals in programs carried out under title I and title II; (C) provides or organizes provision of services to promote job readiness, digital literacy skills, information literacy skills, and the skills needed for success in postsecondary education, facilitates the successful transition of individuals to postsecondary education, coordinates activities with employers and with entities and individuals involved in the one-stop delivery system in the local area, and conducts community outreach; and (D) as determined appropriate by the one-stop operator or eligible provider of adult education and literacy activities involved, is responsible for recruitment of students in adult education and literacy activities and participants in workforce investment activities, provision of intensive case management, provision of career exploration services, and data collection associated with an activity specified in this subparagraph.; (D) by redesignating paragraphs (12) through (14), (15) through (21), (22) through (26), and (27) through (71), as paragraphs (13) through (15), (17) through (23), (25) through (29), and (31) through (75), respectively; (E) by inserting after paragraph (11) the following: (12) The term concurrent enrollment has the meaning given the term in section 203.; (F) by inserting after paragraph (15), as redesignated by subparagraph (D), the following: (16) The term digital literacy skills has the meaning given the term in section 203.; (G) by inserting after paragraph (23), as redesignated by subparagraph (D), the following: (24) The term , used with respect to an individual, means— foundational skill needs (A) in the case of an individual who is a youth, an individual who has English reading, writing, or computing skills at or below the 8th grade level on a generally accepted standardized test; or (B) in the case of an individual who is a youth or adult, an individual who is unable to compute or solve problems, or read, write, or speak English, at a level necessary to function on the job, in the individual’s family, or in society.; and (H) by inserting after paragraph (29), as redesignated by subparagraph (D), the following: (30) The term information literacy skills has the meaning given the term in section 203..

(c) State workforce development boards

Section 101 (29 U.S.C. 3111) is amended— (1) in subsection (b)(1)(C)(ii)(IV), by inserting after ; and

(12) in collaboration with providers of adult education and literacy activities, the promotion of the employment of college and career navigators by the one-stop centers in the State; and.

(d) Program specifics for State plans

Section 102(b)(2) (29 U.S.C. 3112(b)(2)) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (D)(ii)— (A) in subclause (II), by striking item (dd) and inserting the following:

; (B) in subclause (V), by adding at the end; and "and" (C) by adding at the end the following: (VI) how the eligible agency will promote, through funding priority or other means, professionalization of adult education and literacy activities through the adoption of staffing models that include requirements and support for teacher credentialing, standards, and support for ongoing in-service professional development, and career ladders for professional growth, which may include more opportunities for full-time teaching positions;; and

(2) in subparagraph (E)(iii)(II), by inserting after .

(e) Local boards

Section 107 (29 U.S.C. 3122) is amended— (1) in subsection (c)(1), by adding at the end the following:

(D) The chief elected officials appointing the local board for a local area shall make publicly available information on the membership of the board (including information identifying how the membership composition requirements of subsection (b) have been met), including by posting that information on the website of each unit of general local government included in the local area.; and

(14) The local board, in collaboration with providers of adult education and literacy activities in the local area, shall promote the employment of college and career navigators by the one-stop centers and eligible providers (as defined in section 203) in the local area..

(f) Local plans

Section 108 (29 U.S.C. 3123) is amended— (1) in subsection (b)(13), by inserting after ; and

(2) in subsection (d)(3), by inserting after .

(g) Indicators of performance

Section 116(b)(2)(A) (29 U.S.C. 3141(b)(2)(A)) is amended— (1) in clause (i), by striking subclauses (IV) and (V) and inserting the following:

(IV) the percentages of program participants who, during participation in the program— (V) the percentages of program participants who, within 1 year after exit from the program—;

(2) by striking clause (iii) and inserting the following:

(iii) A State may develop interim indicators for measuring the percentage of program participants on track to meet the indicators described in subclauses (IV) and (V) of clause (i) for adult education and literacy activities authorized under title II.; and

(3) in clause (iv), by striking "clauses (i)(VI)" and inserting "clause (i)(VI)" .

(h) Common participant individual record layout

Section 116 (29 U.S.C. 3141) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(j) Common participant individual record layout The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education shall establish a common reporting system that covers, and that accommodates, the core programs, relating to participant records and the performance accountability measures described in subsection (b)..

(i) One-Stop delivery systems

(ii) a public library;; and

(5) A local board may use funds made available under subsection (h) to make programs, activities, and services available through a public library to the extent such library demonstrates to the local board— (A) that the library provides or will provide career services or other workforce development activities to address unmet need for such services or activities, such as by providing career services and other workforce development activities to individuals at days or times, and locations, at which the services or activities are not otherwise made available through the corresponding one-stop partners; (B) that the library will provide a physical location within the library, which may include a mobile library site, in which to serve individuals seeking services provided by a college and career navigator; and (C) the library's ability to leverage additional resources, such as staff, facilities, computer access, or learning materials, in order to extend the level of services otherwise provided through the local one-stop delivery system, particularly to geographically distant communities, communities for which physical one-stop centers are not easily accessible through public transportation, or communities in which there is inadequate access for the level of services needed..

(j) Digital literacy skills; information literacy skills

Section 134(c) (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (2)(A)— (A) in clause (iii), by inserting after ; and (B) in clause (xii)(VI), by inserting after ; and

(2) in paragraph (3)(D)— (A) by redesignating clauses (x) and (xi) as clauses (xii) and (xiii), respectively; and (B) by inserting after clause (ix) the following:

(x) digital literacy skills training; and (xi) information literacy skills training;.

(k) Library-Based and community-Based college and career navigators

Subtitle D of title I is amended by inserting after section 171 (29 U.S.C. 3226) the following:

SEC. 171A.. Library-based and community-based college and career navigators (a) Purpose The purpose of this section is to expand the capacity of State and local workforce development systems by leveraging the facilities and staff of libraries and community-based organizations to provide career navigation services to individuals through library-based and community-based college and career navigators. (b) Eligible entity In this section, the term eligible entity means a partnership between a State board or local board and 1 or more of the following: (1) A community-based organization.

(2) A library (as defined in section 213 of the Library Services and Technology Act (20 U.S.C. 9122)) that offers workforce development activities at no cost to individuals. (c) Grants authorized From funds made available under section 172(g), the Secretary is authorized to make grants to eligible entities to carry out the purpose of this section. (d) Application To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (e) Uses of funds (1) An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use funds made available through the grant to establish a college and career navigator program within the library, community-based organization, or agency that is a partner of such eligible entity.

(2) A college and career navigator program established under paragraph (1) may hire, train, support, or retain 1 or more college and career navigators to provide career navigation services in coordination with a State or local workforce development system..

(l) Authorization of appropriations

Section 172 (20 U.S.C. 3227) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(g) Library-Based and community-Based navigators There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 171A, $135,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years..

SEC. 201. Purpose

Section 202(1) of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 3271(1)) is amended— (1) by inserting after ; and

(2) by striking "and economic self-sufficiency" and inserting ", economic self-sufficiency, and full participation in all aspects of adult life" .

SEC. 202. Definitions

(C) develop and use digital literacy skills; (D) develop and use information literacy skills; and;

(2) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (9) and (10) through (17) as paragraphs (6) through (12) and (14) through (21), respectively;

(3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:

(3) The term college placement level means the level required for placement in college-level course work, rather than placement in developmental education, as demonstrated by achievement of a designated score on a placement test or other college-identified measure. (4) The term concurrent enrollment means intentional, simultaneous enrollment in more than 1 one-stop partner program, as a strategy for leveraging resources and eliminating duplication of services while achieving the best possible outcomes. (5) The term digital literacy skills means the skills associated with— (A) using technology to enable users to find, evaluate, organize, create, and communicate information; and (B) developing digital citizenship and the responsible use of technology.;

(4) in paragraph (7), as redesignated by paragraph (2), in subparagraph (C)(i), by striking "is basic skills deficient" and inserting "has foundational skills needs" ;

(III) development of digital literacy skills and information literacy skills; or;

(6) in paragraph (12), as redesignated by paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting after ;

(7) by inserting after paragraph (12), as redesignated by paragraph (2), the following:

(13) The term information literacy skills means the set of skills needed to find, retrieve, understand, evaluate, analyze, discern the reliability and accuracy of, and effectively use information (which encompasses spoken and broadcast words and videos, printed materials, and digital content, data, and images).;

(8) in paragraph (15), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by inserting after ;

(10) in paragraph (21), as redesignated by paragraph (2)— (A) by inserting after ; and (B) by striking .

SEC. 203. Authorization of appropriations

SEC. 204. Reservation of funds

Section 211 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 3291) is amended in subsection (a)(1), by striking "striking5,000,000" and inserting " 5,000,000" .

SEC. 205. Performance and accountability system

Section 212 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 3292) is amended to read as follows:

SEC. 212. Performance and accountability system (a) In general (1) Except as provided in subsection (b), programs and activities authorized under this title are subject to all of the performance accountability provisions described in section 116.

(2) With respect to the application to programs and activities authorized under this title of the indicator of measurable skill gains under section 116(b)(2)(A)(i)(IV), such measurable skill gains may include those relating to the purpose described in section 202. (b) Pilot for innovative performance accountability systems (1) The Secretary shall approve an application from an eligible agency to pilot, for a subset of eligible providers within its State and as an alternative to the performance accountability system described in section 116, an innovative performance accountability system that uses alternative indicators of performance that have the potential to more accurately reflect the objectives and adult education and literacy activities of the eligible providers’ programs if the Secretary determines that an application from such an eligible agency meets the requirements of this subsection.

(2) An eligible agency applying to pilot an innovative performance accountability system under this subsection shall propose in its application the period of time that the agency desires to implement such system, except that the period shall not exceed 5 years.

(3) The Secretary shall approve an eligible agency’s request to extend the period of a pilot under this subsection if the Secretary determines that the innovative performance system is meeting the objectives of this subsection.

(4) Application (A) An eligible agency desiring to undertake a pilot under this subsection shall submit an application at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require. (B) An application described in subparagraph (A) shall include— (i) a description of how the eligible agency engaged in an outreach process with eligible providers within its State to— (I) inform the eligible providers of the opportunity to implement a pilot under this subsection; and (II) engage with the eligible providers in the development of alternative indicators of performance; (ii) an explanation of whether and how the eligible agency established any standards or criteria for the alternative measures of performance that participating eligible providers could elect to use; (iii) a listing of the eligible providers that will participate in the proposed pilot and a description of the indicators of performance that each such provider will make use of through the pilot; (iv) a description of why the eligible agency and the participating eligible providers believe the proposed indicators of performance would more accurately measure the attainment of the objectives of such providers’ adult education and literacy activities than would the indicators of performance described in section 116(b)(2); (v) an explanation of how the proposed indicators of performance will be valid and reliable measures of education and employment consistent with purposes of this title; (vi) a description of how the eligible agency will collect, report to the Secretary, and make publicly available the proposed indicators of performance from each participating eligible provider on a timely basis; and (vii) an assurance that the eligible agency will, at the end of the pilot period, report to the Secretary on the outcomes of the pilot, including on whether the eligible agency met the objectives of the pilot. (C) The Secretary shall determine whether to approve an application under this subsection by not later than 90 days of receiving the application. (D) The Secretary shall not disapprove an application under this subsection without giving the applicant the opportunity to revise and resubmit the application.

(5) The Secretary shall— (A) through the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences, carry out national evaluations of the implementation and outcomes of the pilots authorized under this subsection, with the first such evaluation to be completed not later than 5 years after the Secretary approves the first application from an eligible entity; (B) in consultation with the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences, identify best practices in the development and implementation of innovative performance accountability systems under this subsection; (C) disseminate information on those practices, including by making the information available on the website of the Department of Education; and (D) provide a report to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives on the results of the pilot program, including a comparison of the outcomes as measured by the innovative performance accountability systems implemented under this subsection and the performance measures described in section 116..

SEC. 206. Matching requirement

Section 222(b) of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 3302(b)) is amended by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:

(3) Each eligible agency shall maintain, on the website of such agency and in an easily accessible format, information documenting the non-Federal contributions made available to adult education and literacy programs pursuant to this subsection, including the sources of such contributions and, in the case of funds made available by the State, the distribution of such funds to eligible providers..

SEC. 207. State leadership activities

(E) Developing content and models for family literacy programs.; (D) in subparagraph (J), as redesignated by subparagraph (B), in clause (i), by striking "and English language acquisition" and inserting "English language acquisition, digital literacy skills, and information literacy skills" ; (E) in subparagraph (K), as redesignated by subparagraph (B), by inserting after ; (F) in subparagraph (L), as redesignated by subparagraph (B)— (i) by striking "adult learners with learning disabilities or" and inserting "specific groups of adult learners, such as those with learning disabilities, those at the lowest levels of literacy, or those who are" ; and (ii) by striking "at the lowest achievement levels" and inserting "in appropriate and meaningful ways" ; and (G) by inserting after subparagraph (M), as redesignated by subparagraph (B), the following: (N) Strengthening the quality of adult education and literacy programs in the State through support for improved credentials, program quality standards, and certification and accreditation requirements..

SEC. 208. Grants and contracts for eligible providers

(2) in subsection (e)(2), by striking "learning disabilities" and inserting "learning differences" .

SEC. 209. Local administrative cost limits

Section 233(a) of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 3323(a)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting after ; and

(2) in paragraph (2), by striking .

SEC. 210. National leadership activities

Section 242 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 3332) is amended— (1) in subsection (b)— (A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:

(1) assistance to help States meet the requirements of section 116 in order to ensure— (A) that the outcomes and other data required pursuant to section 116 are collected and reported in a timely and accessible manner; and (B) that such data are reported consistently across States and eligible providers and are reviewed for quality and consistency at the Federal level.; (B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) as paragraphs (5) through (7), respectively; and (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: (2) technical assistance to participating eligible agencies and eligible providers in implementing innovative performance accountability systems under section 212(b)(1); (3) grants to such agencies and providers to assist them in implementing such systems; (4) carrying out the national evaluations required under section 212(b)(5)(A); and

SEC. 211. Integrated English literacy and civics education

Section 243 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 3333) is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by striking ; and

(2) in subsection (c), by striking "designed" and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following: .