AUTHORIZATION:

Adult Education and Family Literacy Act; 20 U.S.C. 1209 et seq.

OBJECTIVES:

To fund local programs of adult education and literacy services, including workplace literacy services, family literacy services, and English literacy and civics education programs. Participation in these programs is limited to adults and out-of-school youths aged 16 and older who do not have a high school diploma or equivalent.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Formula Grants Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

The Act lists specific performance measures on which States are assessed. These include: demonstrated improvements in literacy skill levels in reading, writing, and speaking the English language, numeracy, problem-solving, English language acquisition and other literacy skills; placement in, retention in, or completion of postsecondary education, training, unsubsidized employment, or career advancement; receipt of a high school diploma or its equivalent; other objective, quantifiable measures, as identified by the State agency. Not more than 12.5 percent of the State allotment may be used for State leadership activities, including professional development; 82.5 percent of the State allotment must be used to support local programs and corrections education and other institutionalized individuals. Not more than 8.25 percent of the State allotment may be used for correctional education and other institutionalized individuals; not more than 5 percent (or $65,000, whichever is greater) of the State allotment may be used for State administrative costs. This program is subject to non-supplanting requirements and must use a restricted indirect cost rate which is referenced under 34 CFR 76.564-76.569. For assistance call the Office of the Chief Financial Officer/Indirect Cost Group on 202-708-7770.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Formula grants are made to designated eligible State agencies. State agencies shall provide direct and equitable access to: Local educational agencies, public or private nonprofit agencies, community-based organizations of demonstrated effectiveness; institutions of higher education, volunteer literacy organizations of demonstrated effectiveness; libraries, public housing authorities; nonprofit institutions not described above that have the ability to provide literacy services to adults and families, and consortia of the entities described above.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Out-of-school adults who are 16 years of age and older, who are not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under State law, and who lack sufficient mastery of basic educational skills to enable them to function effectively in society or do not have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and have not achieved an equivalent level of education, or are unable to speak, read, or write the English language.

Credentials/Documentation:   A 5-year State plan as provided for in Section 224 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, Education Department General Administrative Regulations, 34 CFR 74, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86. The State plan shall include a certification from a State official that all provisions and amendments thereto are consistent with the Act. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Pre-application Coordination:   The Director of Adult Education and Literacy will provide guidance on specific problems and technical assistance in the preparation of State Plans. An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure:   This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Each eligible educational agency must submit to the Secretary of Education a 5-year State plan that sets forth the manner and procedures under which the State will carry out activities to achieve its program objectives and priorities and fulfill the purposes of the Act.

Award Procedure:   The Department approves the 5-year State plan and any amendment thereto and makes allocations to the State each July 1.

Deadlines:   Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   

From 30 to 60 days.

Appeals:   

States are afforded an opportunity for hearings.

Renewals:   

Not Applicable.

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ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   

This program has no statutory formula. Matching Requirements: $100,000 initial allotment to Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands. Allotments reserved for Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau are awarded competitively pursuant to recommendations by the Pacific Region Educational Laboratory to Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, or Palau. No funds may be provided to Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau as of fiscal year 2002. States and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico receive a initial allotment of $250,000. The remainder is allotted to all eligible agencies on the basis of the ratio of adults age 16 and older who are not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under State law and who do not hold a high school diploma or equivalent. No agency may receive less than 90 percent of its allotment for the preceding fiscal year. The data source is a special tabulation by the Bureau of the Census. To receive a grant, States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico must provide a nonfederal contribution in an amount equal to 25 percent of the total amount of funds expended for adult education and literacy activities in the State. To receive a grant, eligible outlying agencies must provide a nonfederal contribution in an amount equal to 12 percent of the total amount of funds expended for adult education and literacy activities. This program has maintenance of effort (MOE) requirements. This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   

Funds must be expended within 27 months of their date of availability. States draw funds as needed under the Electronic Transfer System. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Contact the program office for this information.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Annual Financial and Program Performance Reports in accordance with the provisions in EDGAR. Cash reports are not applicable. Progress reports: Annual Financial and Program Performance Reports in accordance with the provisions in EDGAR. Expenditure reports: Annual Financial and Program Performance Reports in accordance with the provisions in EDGAR. Performance monitoring is not applicable.

Audits:   In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records:   In accordance with Section 443 of the General Education Provisions Act, grantees must maintain records for 3 years.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:  

91-0400-0-1-501.

Obligations:   (Formula Grants) FY 08 $544,122,000; FY 09 est $554,122,000; FY 10 est $628,221

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  

FY 15: $100,000-$89,375,087; $9,981,667 average.

FY 16: $100,000-$91,304,361; $10,209,737 average.

FY 17: $100,000-$91,311,081; $10,209,737 average.

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