Hi everyone, I completely forgot to ask NCL members this year for a short vignette to lead off the adult ed story in the CEF budget book this year. I’ve attached some samples from prior years. If you’d like to submit something for consideration, let me know. I need to get this in ASAP, so if you can get me something today or tmw, that would be best. Thanks! Jeff 2015 In Tucson, Arizona, the sixth poorest of the nation’s large metropolitan areas, nearly 200,000 adults lack a high school diploma and/or the literacy skills needed to obtain a job or earn family sustaining wages. Luckily there are programs for adults to get the help they need to be productive workers, parents, and community members. Pima Community College’s adult education program, funded by the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), serves nearly 6,000 adults annually seeking to increase their literacy, numeracy, and language skills in preparation for college and career. As an example, Miguel worked for 23 years as an X-ray technician in California, where he did not need a high school or equivalent diploma for his job. Since moving to Arizona, he hasn’t been able to find work in his field without a diploma. Now he is working hard to get a GED so he can support his family. Miguel’s 9th grade son sees what his dad is go- ing through as an adult without a GED and is motivated to stay in school so he won’t go through similar struggles. Without AEFLA support, Miguel’s family and thousands of others would be without educational options or hope for a better future. 2016 In Louisville, Kentucky, the Jefferson County Public Schools Adult Education (JCPSAE) program serves roughly 5,000 adults annually through WIOA Title II—students like Ellen, who moved to the United States from Ghana 10 years ago. She faced many barriers including not having a GED or high school diploma, three small children at home, and English as her second language. Ellen joined the JCPSAE Family Literacy program, where she was able to earn her GED credential, and then, through a partnership with JCPSAE and Jefferson Community and Technical College, she received a full scholarship to begin nursing classes. When Ellen registered for classes she explained, “I feel like I am in heaven, just being here on this campus.” Today, Ellen’s children are thriving in school while Ellen is in college pursuing a degree in nursing and maintaining a 4.0 grade point average. WIOA Title II funding has forever altered the trajectory of Ellen’s family. Jeff Carter Cell: (202) 374-4387 | @jeffcrtr Executive Director | Physicians for Social Responsibility 1111 14th St, NW, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20005 www.psr.org <http://www.psr.org/> | jcarter@psr.org <mailto:jcarter@psr.org> Advisor | National Coalition for Literacy www.national-coalition-literacy.org <http://www.national-coalition-literacy.org/> jcarter@literacypolicy.org <mailto:jcarter@literacypolicy.org> Vice-President | Committee for Education Funding