S. 1126Senate117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Strengthening Research in Adult Education Act

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Updated February 8, 2026 at 1:32 AM UTC

The Strengthening Research in Adult Education Act amends the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 and the Educational Technical Assistance Act of 2002 to place adult education and literacy at the center of federal education research. It expands definitions to include adult learners, adds digital‑literacy as a focus, and directs research agencies to study adult education programs and outcomes. The changes affect federal research funding, advisory bodies, and anyone participating in adult education, from learners to providers.

Key Provisions

Defines “adult education” and “adult education and literacy activities” and inserts them into the Education Sciences Reform Act.
Expands the definition of “student” to include elementary, secondary, postsecondary, and adult education learners.
Requires the Institute of Education Sciences to fund and conduct research on successful state and local adult education and literacy programs that improve literacy, numeracy, and preparation for postsecondary education or employment.
Adds “digital literacy skills” as a specific research priority within the Act.
Includes representatives of local or regional adult education providers in technical assistance advisory groups.
Updates various statutory language to incorporate adult education into performance metrics, program priorities, and reporting requirements.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1943)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

April 14, 2021

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

April 14, 2021

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1943)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

April 14, 2021

Floor Debate

2 members

What members said about S. 1126 on the floor

1 Republican1 Democrat

Sen. Jack ReedD-RI · Apr 14, 2021

Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce the bipartisan Strengthening Research in Adult Education Act with my colleague, Senator Young. We are in urgent need of identifying and disseminating…

Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce the bipartisan Strengthening Research in Adult Education Act with my colleague, Senator Young. We are in urgent need of identifying and disseminating innovative and effective methods for supporting adult learners. Our legislation will ensure that there is a strong research base to improve the teaching provided for, and the learning of, adults seeking to advance their literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy skills.

The most recent data from the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies show an urgent need for action in adult education with an estimated 19 percent of adults ages 16-65 in the United States performing at the lowest levels of literacy; twenty- nine percent at the lowest levels of numeracy; and 24 percent at the lowest levels of digital problem solving. This is a dire situation. 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, making adult education critically important to the health and well-being of our people, our economy, and our democracy.

In Rhode Island, it is estimated that nearly 82,000 working age adults have less than a high school education. Over 55,000 have limited English proficiency. Yet, we are reaching just over 5,000 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, including digital literacy skills development, in communities across the Nation. 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 Coalition of Adult Basic Educators and the National Coalition for Literacy 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 · Apr 14, 2021

Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce the bipartisan Strengthening Research in Adult Education Act with my colleague, Senator Young. We are in urgent need of identifying and disseminating…

Sen. John ThuneR-SD · Apr 14, 2021

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued April 14, 2021

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1126

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 14, 2021

Mr. Reed (for himself and Mr. Young) 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 (29 U.S.C. 3272).

;

(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 (29 U.S.C. 3271 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 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 skills.

;

(7)

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

(A)

by striking subparagraph (D) and inserting the following:

(D)

secondary school graduation and completion rates, including the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate and the extended-year adjusted cohort graduation rate (as defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (20 U.S.C. 7801)), school dropout rates, and adult literacy;

;

(B)

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

(C)

by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following:

(F)

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

; and

(D)

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

(8)

in section 154(b)(2)(A) (20 U.S.C. 9544(b)(2)(A)), by striking vocational and adult education, and inserting career and technical education, adult education,; and

(9)

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 skills; and

(b)

Educational Technical Assistance Act of 2002

Section 206(b)(2) of the Educational Technical Assistance Act of 2002 (20 U.S.C. 9605(b)(2)) is amended—

(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.