29 USC 3271 - Purpose

§ 3271. Purpose
§ 3272. Definitions
§ 3273. Home schools
§ 3274. Rule of construction regarding postsecondary transition and concurrent enrollment activities
§ 3275. Authorization of appropriations

§ 3271. PurposeIt is the purpose of this subchapter to create a partnership among the Federal Government, States, and localities to provide, on a voluntary basis, adult education and literacy activities, in order to—

(1) assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and economic self-sufficiency;

(2) assist adults who are parents or family members to obtain the education and skills that—

(A) are necessary to becoming full partners in the educational development of their children; and

(B) lead to sustainable improvements in the economic opportunities for their family;

(3) assist adults in attaining a secondary school diploma and in the transition to postsecondary education and training, including through career pathways; and

(4) assist immigrants and other individuals who are English language learners in—

(A) improving their—

(i) reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension skills in English; and

(ii) mathematics skills; and

(B) acquiring an understanding of the American system of Government, individual freedom, and the responsibilities of citizenship.

(Pub. L. 113–128, title II, § 202, July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1608.)

§ 3272. DefinitionsIn this subchapter:

(1) Adult educationThe term “adult education” means academic instruction and education services below the postsecondary level that increase an individual’s ability to—

(A) read, write, and speak in English and perform mathematics or other activities necessary for the attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent;

(B) transition to postsecondary education and training; and

(2) Adult education and literacy activities

(3) Eligible agency

(4) Eligible individualThe term “eligible individual” means an individual—

(A) who has attained 16 years of age;

(B) who is not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under State law; and

(i) is basic skills deficient;

(ii) does not have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and has not achieved an equivalent level of education; or

(iii) is an English language learner.

(5) Eligible providerThe term “eligible provider” means an organization that has demonstrated effectiveness in providing adult education and literacy activities that may include—

(A) a local educational agency;

(B) a community-based organization or faith-based organization;

(D) an institution of higher education;

(E) a public or private nonprofit agency;

(F) a library;

(G) a public housing authority;

(H) a nonprofit institution that is not described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (G) and has the ability to provide adult education and literacy activities to eligible individuals;

(I) a consortium or coalition of the agencies, organizations, institutions, libraries, or authorities described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (H); and

(J) a partnership between an employer and an entity described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (I).

(6) English language acquisition programThe term “English language acquisition program” means a program of instruction—

(A) designed to help eligible individuals who are English language learners achieve competence in reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension of the English language; and

(B) that leads to—

(i)(I) attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent; and(II) transition to postsecondary education and training; or

(ii) employment.

(7) English language learnerThe term “English language learner” when used with respect to an eligible individual, means an eligible individual who has limited ability in reading, writing, speaking, or comprehending the English language, and—

(A) whose native language is a language other than English; or

(B) who lives in a family or community environment where a language other than English is the dominant language.

(8) Essential components of reading instructionThe term “essential components of reading instruction” means explicit and systematic instruction in—

(A) phonemic awareness;

(B) phonics;

(D) reading fluency, including oral reading skills; and

(E) reading comprehension strategies.

(9) Family literacy activitiesThe term “family literacy activities” means activities that are of sufficient intensity and quality, to make sustainable improvements in the economic prospects for a family and that better enable parents or family members to support their children’s learning needs, and that integrate all of the following activities:

(A) Parent or family adult education and literacy activities that lead to readiness for postsecondary education or training, career advancement, and economic self-sufficiency.

(B) Interactive literacy activities between parents or family members and their children.

(C) Training for parents or family members regarding how to be the primary teacher for their children and full partners in the education of their children.

(D) An age-appropriate education to prepare children for success in school and life experiences.

(10) Institution of higher education

(11) Integrated education and training

(12) Integrated English literacy and civics education

(13) Literacy

(14) Postsecondary educational institutionThe term “postsecondary educational institution” means—

(A) an institution of higher education that provides not less than a 2-year program of instruction that is acceptable for credit toward a bachelor’s degree;

(B) a tribally controlled college or university; or

(15) Secretary

(16) Workplace adult education and literacy activities

(17) Workforce preparation activities

(Pub. L. 113–128, title II, § 203, July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1609; Pub. L. 114–95, title IX, § 9215(c), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 2166.)

§ 3273. Home schools

Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to affect home schools, whether a home school is treated as a home school or a private school under State law, or to compel a parent or family member engaged in home schooling to participate in adult education and literacy activities.

(Pub. L. 113–128, title II, § 204, July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1611.)

§ 3274. Rule of construction regarding postsecondary transition and concurrent enrollment activities

Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to prohibit or discourage the use of funds provided under this subchapter for adult education and literacy activities that help eligible individuals transition to postsecondary education and training or employment, or for concurrent enrollment activities.

(Pub. L. 113–128, title II, § 205, July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1612.)

§ 3275. Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subchapter $577,667,000 for fiscal year 2015, $622,286,000 for fiscal year 2016, $635,198,000 for fiscal year 2017, $649,287,000 for fiscal year 2018, $664,552,000 for fiscal year 2019, and $678,640,000 for fiscal year 2020.

(Pub. L. 113–128, title II, § 206, July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1612.)