Ready for College: Adult Education Transitions Program

Posted by on July 30, 2007

The U.S. Department of Education has announced grant funding for "Ready for College: Adult Education Transitions Program," CFDA 84.191A
<a href="http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=14981">http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=14981</a>

The program is intended to enhance the quality of adult education and literacy programs nationwide. It supports state and local efforts to increase the rate at which adults, aged 18 to 24, successfully complete adult secondary education (ASE) and transition to postsecondary education. Knowing many of you are utilizing service-learning and community-academic partnerships toward these goals, we thought you would be interested in this funding announcement.

These entities are eligible for a grant: (a) A State educational agency. (b) A local educational agency. (c) A postsecondary educational institution. (d) Other public or private agencies, organizations, and institutions. (e) A consortium of eligible applicants.

Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: August 6, 2007.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 27, 2007.

Here’s some additional background on the program:

The Presidents American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI) recognizes that a high school diploma or equivalency diploma is no longer adequate for 21st century workforce demands and that the bedrock of America’s competitiveness is a well-educated and skilled workforce. Some form of postsecondary education and training is now critical for workers to succeed in the new global economy. Yet, in 2004, one in five 18- to 24-year-olds had not yet completed high school. While about half of the students who leave school early eventually obtain a credential, millions never receive one. Further, an estimated 3.8 million youth between the ages of 18 and 24 are neither employed nor in school. Young adults with low levels of literacy and educational attainment also have a lower chance of escaping unemployment. And those who do become employed are often limited to low-wage jobs. For America to continue to prosper economically, educators and others need to focus on ways to help more out-of-school youth obtain high school-level equivalency diplomas and transition successfully to postsecondary education.

Many State and local agencies have developed a variety of interventions designed to re-engage out-of-school youth and help them obtain both a high school equivalency credential and a postsecondary certificate or degree. While the Department is generally aware of these efforts, there is little documentation of either their specific composition or their effectiveness. More importantly, little investigation has been conducted on why a particular practice has positive results with out-of-school youth. We are, therefore, using this competition to support projects that will identify and, when necessary, further develop, strengthen, enhance, or expand educational strategies (e.g., program design elements such as scheduling, educational counseling, supportive services for students, and professional development for staff; enhanced curricula; or linkages with postsecondary education programs) already utilized in local ASE programs.

This competition is the first of several activities the Department anticipates.