Adult Education: Adult Education and Literacy, Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education, and Correctional Education

Overview

<div>The General Information document is pertinent to three (3) separate competitive Request for Proposal (RFP)/Grant Applications funded through the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA), Title II, Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) and State funds that includes:</div> <ol> <li>WIOA Section 231 – Adult Education and Literacy;</li> <li>WIOA Section 225 - Corrections Education/Institutionalized Individuals; and/or</li> <li>WIOA Section 243 – Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE).</li> </ol> <div><strong>Purpose</strong><br>The purpose of Adult Education in Louisiana under the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) is to enable local adult education providers, as core partners of Louisiana’s workforce system, to develop, implement and improve adult education and literacy services throughout the state to further the vision and goals as outlined in the WIOA State Plan for the State of Louisiana, and WIOA, in order to:</div> <ul> <li>Assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills needed for employment and economic self-sufficiency</li> <li>Assist adults who are parents or family members to obtain the education and skills needed to participate successfully in the educational development of their children and improve the economic opportunities of the family</li> <li>Assist adults in the attainment of a high school equivalency diploma and in the transition to postsecondary education and training through career pathways</li> <li>Assist immigrants and other individuals who are English language learners in improving their reading, writing, speaking and comprehension skills in English; improving their math skills; and acquiring an understanding of the American System of Government, individual freedom, and the responsibilities of citizenship</li> </ul> <div></div> <div><strong>Target Population (Eligible Individuals)</strong><br>Funds received by local providers under this grant contract are to be used to establish and operate programs that provide adult education and literacy services to learners meeting the statutory definition of an “eligible individual” as defined in WIOA. An “eligible individual” means an individual who:</div> <ul> <li>Has attained 16 years of age;</li> <li>Is not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under state law;</li> <li>Is basic skills deficient;</li> <li>Does not have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and has not achieved an equivalent level of education; OR</li> <li>Is an English language learner, (refer to Allowable Activities section below for additional information for ELA and/or IELCE eligible individuals).</li> </ul> <div></div> <div><strong>Allowable Activities</strong><br>Funds received by local providers under this RFP are to be used to establish and operate programs that provide the following services and activities to eligible individuals:</div> <ul> <li>Adult Education and Literacy</li> <ul> <li>Adult Basic Education (ABE): A program of academic instruction and education services below the secondary level that increase an individual’s ability to read, write, and speak in English and perform mathematics necessary to attain a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, transition to postsecondary education or training, and obtain employment.</li> <li>Adult Secondary Education (ASE): A program of academic instruction and educational services at the secondary level that increase an individual’s ability to read, write, and perform mathematics necessary to attain a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, transition to postsecondary education or training, and obtain employment.</li> </ul> <li>ESL/English Language Acquisition: A program of instruction designed to help eligible individuals who are English language learners (ELLs) to achieve competence in reading, writing, speaking and comprehension of the English language, and that leads to attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent and transition to postsecondary education and training or employment.</li> <li>Workforce Preparation: A program designed to include activities/services to individuals needing to acquire a combination of basic academic skills, critical thinking skills, digital literacy skills and self-management skills, Participation in workforce preparation activities also must be designed to lead to employability skills and the development of competencies in using resources and information, working with others, and understanding systems to successfully transition to and complete postsecondary education, training and employment. WIOA Final Rules Subpart D, §463.34</li> <li>Workplace Adult Education and Literacy: A program designed to provide service/activities in collaboration with an employer or employee organization at a workplace or an off-site location that is designed to improve the productivity of the workforce through the improvement of literacy skills. WIOA Final Rules Subpart D, §463.30</li> <li>Integrated Education and Training (IET): A service approach designed to provide adult education and literacy activities concurrently and contextually with workforce preparation activities and workforce training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster for the purpose of educational and career advancement. Required IET components are: 1) adult education and literacy, 2) workforce preparation activities, and 3) workforce training. Instruction is based on occupationally relevant materials for the purpose of educational and career advancement. Participation is intended for eligible individuals at all skill levels, including adults with low academic skills. WIOA Final Rules Subpart D, §463.35 through §463.38</li> <li>Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE): A program of instruction funded under WIOA, Section 243, designed to include education services provided to English language learners who are adults, including professionals with degrees and credentials to language and acquire the basic and more advanced skills needed to function effectively as English language acquisition and instruction on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and civic participation, and may include workforce training. In addition, the program must be provided in combination with IET. WIOA Final Rules Subpart D, §463.33</li> <li>Correctional Education: A program of instruction funded under WIOA, Section 225, designed to include ABE, ASE, or ELL instruction for adult criminal offenders in correctional institutions. Section 225 funds are the only allowable Title II funds that may be used to serve individuals within a correctional institution. The term ‘‘correctional institution’’ as defined in WIOA means any—prison; jail; reformatory; work farm; detention center; or halfway house, community-based rehabilitation center, OR any other similar institution designed for the confinement OR rehabilitation of criminal offenders.</li> </ul>