- Increase foundation skills development within the workplace.
- Foster new skills development and internal job promotion.
- Provide stepping stones for low-wage, entry-level workers to more productive employment.
- Link education/training and workforce development to labor market trends and needs.
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Abstract:
Maryland’s family literacy programs are built on a foundation of partnerships. Both Prince George’s Community College and Community College of Baltimore County have built strong family literacy programming through their partnerships with the Family Support Center of Prince George’s County and Baltimore County Public Schools. In Prince George’s County, community integration has taken place through a focus on workforce development as a key component in the family literacy adult education classes. In Baltimore County, the focus for family literacy students has been school integration. Student stories illustrate the importance of strategic community partnerships to create unified communities and a stronger, more skilled workforce in Maryland.
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Abstract:
Adult education has evolved from informal, oral traditions to structured programs that address the changing needs of society. This article traces its historical roots from early evening schools and trade education to modern community colleges and workforce development initiatives. It explores the relevance of adult learning through andragogical principles, emphasizing its problem-centered approach and immediate application. Finally, it highlights the profound impact of adult education, showcasing its role in personal growth, economic mobility, and community engagement.
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Abstract:
Workforce Pell is reshaping the connection between adult education, workforce development, and higher education by expanding Pell Grants to eligible short-term workforce training programs. As implementation begins, adult education leaders have an opportunity to strengthen career pathways, build new partnerships, and improve learner access to high-value credentials. This session will unpack the legislation, explain the new accountability measures and eligibility requirements, and examine what they mean for adult education, Integrated Education and Training (IET), and workforce partnerships. Participants will leave with practical strategies to prepare their organizations and position adult learners for success in the Workforce Pell era.
Original webinar date: August 18, 2026
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Abstract:
This article examines corrections reform across the United States, highlighting how forward-thinking governors from both political parties are replacing punitive incarceration models with education- and employment-focused rehabilitation approaches. Despite approximately one-third of American adults having criminal records and 57% of state prisoners reporting no access to education, several states are demonstrating that change is possible. Tennessee’s Republican Governor Bill Lee and Massachusetts’ efforts under former Governor Charlie Baker and now Governor Maura Healey serve as prime examples of comprehensive reform, with both states investing in learning technology and dedicated staff to create pathways to sustainable employment. Tennessee has implemented education programs in 91 of 95 county jails, while Massachusetts became the first state to offer education programming to all incarcerated individuals in its prison system. These initiatives have yielded remarkable results: Some Tennessee counties have reported recidivism reductions of up to 50%, while Massachusetts has halved its prison population between 2010 and 2023. The author’s decade of experience implementing learning technology in correctional facilities confirms that combining learning-first technology with staff support and visionary leadership can transform correctional systems from warehousing facilities into true rehabilitation centers, ultimately changing lives and benefiting society.
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Adult education plays a critical role in driving economic mobility, workforce development, and social empowerment, particularly in Georgia, where recent policy changes have reshaped educational pathways for nontraditional learners. Joel Floyd, PhD, and Cayanna Good, PhD, explore the transformative impact of these legislative efforts, examining how state-level policies influence adult education. Additionally, the authors highlight the ongoing obstacles and propose strategic solutions, advocating for continued policy innovations that strengthen the role of adult education in enhancing workforce readiness and promoting social equity.
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Abstract:
This reflective essay explores how Tennessee’s state-level adult education policies positively shape practitioner strategies and learner outcomes, with a focus on the C.A.P.E. (Connecting Adults to Professions and Education) Program at Meharry Medical College. As a current State Advocate for Adult Education Fellow through COABE, the author offers insights into how Tennessee’s commitment to performance-based funding, workforce-aligned initiatives, and equity-driven programming supports innovation and access for adult learners. The story of Keitha Green—a 2024 C.A.P.E. graduate who earned her high school equivalency diploma alongside her daughter—illustrates the intergenerational impact of accessible, state-supported education. Highlights include the development of contextualized integrated education and training (IET) programs, such as the Titans Construction Training Camp, which awards the NCCER Core certification, and a Pharmacy Technician Pre-Apprenticeship in partnership with CVS Pharmacy. These initiatives, supported by State of Tennessee adult education funding, demonstrate that with a strong network of support, learners can pursue both education and upward economic mobility. This work affirms the importance of aligning policy goals with the lived realities of communities, reinforcing the value of strong state-practitioner collaboration in transforming lives through education.
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Abstract:
Adult education learners often question the relevance of traditional mathematics curricula, particularly when academic concepts feel distant from the realities of work, family responsibilities, and financial pressures. This article describes the development and implementation of financial algebra, an applied mathematics course designed to provide adult high school diploma students with practical, real-world financial skills. Motivated by low engagement and poor persistence in geometry, the previous terminal math option, program leaders developed a contextualized, project-based, and technology-integrated course aligned with College and Career Readiness Standards. Since its launch in August 2025, financial algebra has led to significantly higher attendance, stronger student engagement, and positive learner outcomes. Students demonstrated increased confidence, improved financial decision-making skills, greater digital literacy, and a deeper understanding of how mathematics connects to their daily lives. The impact of financial algebra suggests that contextualized financial literacy instruction can strengthen workforce readiness, promote financial resilience, and support long-term economic empowerment for adult learners.
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Abstract:
This website introduces employers and educators to the value of partnering, presents best practices and success stories, and provides links to evidence-based tools for building and sustaining partnerships and creating career pathways.
Resource URL
Publication Year
2015
Employer-educator partnerships are an effective strategy for integrating educational instruction and workforce development that benefits employers, today's workers, and workers of tomorrow. By working together, employers and educators can help employers meet their workforce need and ensure that adult education and career and technical education are truly job-driven.
Employer-educator partnerships can:
Benefits and Uses
The toolkit is intended to help educators and employers form successful partnerships that will ensure that adult education and career and technical education are truly job-driven.
The site presents valuable information in two sections, one tailored for employers and one for educators. Each section includes examples of how partnerships have made a difference as well as links to important resources.
Website visitors should be able to adapt the resources for their own use to initiate new partnerships or strengthen existing partnerships.
Resource Notice
This site includes links to information created by other public and private organizations. These links are provided for the user’s convenience. The U.S. Department of Education does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this non-ED information. The inclusion of these links is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse views expressed, or products or services offered, on these non-ED sites.
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