Congressman Goldman Pushes to Expand Adult Education Programs in FY 2024 Budget
Over 62 Million Adults With Low Numeracy Skills; 43 Million Adults Are Functionally Illiterate in English
25 Percent of New Yorkers Functionally Illiterate
Current Adult Education Programs Only Serve Around 1 Million Americans
Adult Education Programs Reach Most Underserved Communities in the Country
Read the Letter Here
Washington D.C. – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) and Congressman Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07) led a group of 12 members of Congress in urging the Homeland requesting increased funding for the Adult Education State Grant program in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget.
At current funding levels, adult education programs only reach about 1 million people, despite the over 62 million adults that lack sufficient math skills and the 43 million adults who lack literacy skills in the United States. In New York City alone, approximately 25 percent of the population is functionally illiterate and are largely excluded from opportunities for job growth and active participation in their community.
This request is one of Congressman Goldman’s letters to the House Appropriations Committee for inclusion in the Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2024.
“We know that education is the silver bullet, and insufficient reading and math skills are some of the most common threads of poverty, incarceration, and barriers to success that our communities face every day,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “There is a critical need for these programs that uplift those struggling with literacy and empower them to improve their lives and provide opportunity for their families. I am proud to be joined by my colleagues as we fight to provide every American with the skills they need to succeed and pursue the American Dream.”
“COABE is greatly appreciative of the leadership of Representative Dan Goldman and Representative Raul Grijalva in spearheading the FY24 funding request letter for adult education.” Sharon Bonney, CEO of Coalition on Adult Basic Education said. “By increasing funding to $810 million, adult education programs will be well-positioned to build capacity to serve more learners, hire more full-time teachers, and offer effective programs to ensure workers gain the literacy, numeracy, digital literacy, and other skills employers are demanding.”
As New York and communities across the United States work to welcome migrants seeking refuge and opportunity, it is critical that the federal government increase funding for adult education programs to help families obtain English language skills, civics education, and workforce readiness. Organizations in New York City, including the Chinese-American Planning Council, help hundreds of immigrant families through English as a second language classes.
Recent research by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that job growth for individuals without a high school diploma or some college experience is about zero or negative. Meanwhile, adult education programs can increase earnings for unemployed residents by over $7,000 annually. Low levels of literacy and numeracy skills have been tied to negative outcomes in various areas of life including higher rates of poverty, chronic unemployment, incarceration, and childhood illiteracy.
Adult education provides numeracy, literacy, digital and information literacy, English language skills, work readiness, soft skills, high school equivalency, and numerous wraparound services to nearly one million adult learners nationwide. These programs help some of the most vulnerable communities in our country including immigrants, formerly incarcerated persons, and persons without a high school diploma access educational resources and integrate into their community. Congress must increase funding for adult education programs to expand access to opportunity in America.
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