S. 2802Senate113th Congress (2013-2015)In Committee

Strengthening Research in Adult Education Act

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SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

September 15, 2014

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

September 15, 2014

SenateIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5589-5590)

September 15, 2014

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

September 15, 2014

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about S. 2802 on the floor

1 Democrat

Sen. Jack ReedD-RI · Sep 15, 2014

Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce the Strengthening Research in Adult Education Act. The recently enacted Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act recognized that the adult education field has evolved from a literacy skills program to a more comprehensive college and career readiness initiative to ensure that adult learners have the foundational skills to fully participate in the community and compete for jobs that provide family sustaining wages. We need to ensure that there is a strong research base to support this vital transition.

For 2012, data from the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies show that an estimated 52 percent of adults ages 16- 65 in the United States lack the literacy skills necessary to identify, interpret, or evaluate one or more pieces of information. These are essential skills for postsecondary education and the workplace. Beyond their value in the labor market, these skills are also correlated with health and civic participation. Clearly, improving adult education is critically important to the health and well-being of our people, our economy, and our democracy.

In Rhode Island, it is estimated that nearly 130,000 adults have less than a high school education. Over 45,000 have limited English proficiency. Yet, we are reaching less than 6,000 through the current adult education program.

Clearly, we need more resources and innovative, research-based ways to reach more people.

The Strengthening Research in Adult Education Act will support the key reforms to adult education in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act by ensuring that adult education is included in our national education research priorities. Specifically, the Strengthening Research in Adult Education Act will amend the Education Sciences Reform Act to require the Institute for Education Sciences and the National Center for Education Statistics to collect data and carry out research on: successful state and local adult education and literacy activities, the characteristics and academic achievement of adult learners, and access to and opportunity for adult education in communities across the country. It will also ensure that the Institute of Education Sciences draws on the expertise of adult educators when developing policies and priorities. Finally, the legislation would require that at least one research center would focus on adult education.

These straightforward amendments to the Education Sciences Reform Act will go a long way to strengthening the research base that will support the improvement of adult education across the country. I was pleased to work with the adult education community, and particularly, the National Council of State Directors of Adult Education in developing this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support the Strengthening Research in Adult Education Act and to work with me to ensure that its provisions are included in the reauthorization of the Education Sciences Reform Act.

Sen. Jack ReedD-RI · Sep 15, 2014

Clearly, we need more resources and innovative, research-based ways to reach more people.

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued September 15, 2014

113th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 2802

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

September 15, 2014

Mr. Reed introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

A BILL

To amend the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 and the Educational Technical Assistance Act of 2002 to strengthen research in adult education.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Strengthening Research in Adult Education Act .

Strengthen research in adult education

(a)

Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002

The Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (20 U.S.C. 9501 et seq.) is amended—

(1)

in section 102 (20 U.S.C. 9501)—

(A)

by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (8), (9) through (22), and (23), as paragraphs (3) through (9), (11) through (24), and (26), respectively;

(B)

by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:

(2)

Adult education; adult education and literacy activities

The terms adult education and adult education and literacy activities have the meanings given the terms in section 203 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (20 U.S.C. 9202).

;

(C)

by inserting after paragraph (9), as redesignated by subparagraph (A), the following:

(10)

Digital literacy skills

The term digital literacy skills has the meaning given the term in section 202 of the Museum and Library Services Act (20 U.S.C. 9101).

; and

(D)

by inserting after paragraph (24), as redesignated by subparagraph (A), the following:

(25)

Student

Unless otherwise provided, the term student means any elementary, secondary, postsecondary, or adult education student.

;

(2)

in section 111(b)(1) (20 U.S.C. 9511(b)(1)), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting , including adult education after postsecondary study;

(3)

in section 115(a) (20 U.S.C. 9515(a))—

(A)

in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (20 U.S.C. 9201 et seq.), after the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.),; and

(B)

in paragraph (2)—

(i)

in subparagraph (A), by inserting and adults after children;

(ii)

in subparagraph (B), by striking and after the semicolon;

(iii)

by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D); and

(iv)

by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:

(C)

access to, and opportunities for, adult education and literacy activities; and

;

(4)

in section 116(c)(4)(A)(ii) (20 U.S.C. 9516(c)(4)(A)(ii))—

(A)

by inserting adult educators, after professional educators,; and

(B)

by inserting State directors of adult education, after postsecondary education executives,;

(5)

in section 131(b)(1) (20 U.S.C. 9531(b)(1))—

(A)

in subparagraph (C), by striking and after the semicolon;

(B)

in subparagraph (D), by inserting and after the semicolon; and

(C)

by adding at the end the following:

(E)

improve the literacy and numeracy skills of individuals who need adult education;

;

(6)

in section 133 (20 U.S.C. 9533)—

(A)

in subsection (a)—

(i)

in paragraph (10)(D), by striking and after the semicolon;

(ii)

in paragraph (11), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(iii)

by adding at the end the following:

(12)

carry out research on successful State and local adult education and literacy activities that—

(A)

result in increased literacy and numeracy and educational attainment for adult learners; or

(B)

prepare students for postsecondary education or employment.

; and

(B)

in subsection (c)—

(i)

in paragraph (1), by inserting At least one 1 center shall be assigned the topic of adult education. after paragraph (2).; and

(ii)

in paragraph (2)—

(I)

by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:

(A)

Adult education.

;

(II)

by redesignating subparagraphs (C) through (K) as subparagraphs (D) through (L), respectively; and

(III)

by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:

(C)

Digital literacy.

;

(7)

in section 153(a)(1) (20 U.S.C. 9543(a)(1))—

(A)

by redesignating subparagraphs (F) through (O) as subparagraphs (G) through (P), respectively;

(B)

by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following:

(F)

access to, and opportunity for, adult education and literacy activities;

; and

(C)

in subparagraph (L), as redesignated by subparagraph (A), by inserting and in adult education after secondary schools; and

(8)

in section 172(a)(2) (20 U.S.C. 9562(a)(2))—

(A)

in subparagraph (D), by striking and after the semicolon;

(B)

by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F); and

(C)

by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:

(E)

educational practices that improve digital literacy; and

(b)

Educational Technical Assistance Act of 2002

The Educational Technical Assistance Act of 2002 (20 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) is amended in section 206(b)(2)—

(1)

by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (F) as subparagraphs (C) through (G), respectively; and

(2)

by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:

(B)

Representatives of local or regional adult education providers.