Current Competitions: Awards are made to eligible state agencies on a formula basis.

Note to Potential Applicants: The Department published final regulations (effective July 6, 2004) that implement Executive branch policy that, within the framework of constitutional church-state guidelines, religiously affiliated (or "faith-based") organizations should be able to compete on an equal footing with other organizations for funding by the U.S. Department of Education. The regulations are found at http://www.ed.gov/policy/fund/reg/fbci-reg.html.

Basic grants to states are allocated by a formula based upon the number of adults, over age 16, who have not completed high school in each state. (See Funding Status to see allotment tables for fiscal years 1996 through 2006) States distribute funds to local providers through a competitive process based upon state-established funding criteria. Eligible providers include: local educational agencies; community-based organizations; correctional education agencies; postsecondary educational institutions; public or private nonprofit agencies; institutions that have the ability to provide literacy services to adults and families; and for-profit agencies, institutions or organizations that are part of a consortium, including a public or private nonprofit agency, organization or institution.

Local programs of instruction emphasize the acquisition of basic skills including: reading; writing; math; English language; and problem solving.

Courses on instruction include Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language, which continues to be the fastest growing component of the adult education program.

States prepare plans for providing adult education services over a five-year period. Under the Workforce Investment Act, adult education plans may be part of state unified plans for workforce development, or may cover only adult education. Several state plans and policy memoranda are available online, or, for further information, please contact the state director of adult education for that state.