View the Education and English Literacy and Civics webinar of May 13, 2013 (PDF 915KB)
A Q&A document will be posted weekly to this site to provide ongoing and additional information. If you have a question you’d like answered in that document, please email your question to ABE_ELCivics@twc.state.tx.us.
Adult Basic Education (ABE) in Texas consists of five major programs targeted to particular segments of the adult population. Each program is funded separately through a unique funding source as mentioned below.
- The Adult Education and Family Literacy Program
(Workforce Investment Act,Title I, Subtitle A)
Provides English language proficiency, basic academic and literacy functional skills, and high school equivalency for out-of-school youth and adults who are beyond the age of compulsory school attendance who function at less than a high school completion level. - The Even Start Family Literacy Program
(Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Title I, Part B, Subpart 3, No Child Left Behind)
Provides literacy training for parents by integrating adult education and early childhood education in a unified family-centered program. The 2012-2013 school year is the final year for which federal funding is provided. - Adult Education of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Recipients
(General Appropriations Act, Article III, Rider 46)
Provides adult education instruction to recipients of TANF. Recipients of TANF benefits are required to participate in adult basic education and job training programs as a condition for eligibility. Aim of the program is to move TANF recipients into self-supporting employment, thereby reducing the number of long-term welfare recipients. - English Literacy and Civics Education
(PL106-113, Section 1000(A)(4) Consolidated Appropriations, Subchapter H, Section 29.252)
Provides recipients instruction on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, naturalization procedures, civic participation, and U.S. history and government so that these recipients can acquire the skills and knowledge to become active and informed parents, workers, and community members. - Corrections Education and Other Institutionalized Individuals
(Workforce Investment Act, Title II, Subtitle A, Section 225)
Provides English language proficiency, basic academic and functional literacy skills, and high school equivalency for incarcerated and other institutionalized adults functioning at less than a high school completion level. Up to 10% of adult education funds may be used for these programs.
Applicants eligible for continuation funding include local school districts, community-based organizations, volunteer literacy organizations, institutions of higher education, public or private nonprofit agencies, libraries, and public-housing authorities.
- 55 service providers, and 53 El Civics
- In 2009, 3,557,487 Texans qualified for adult education services.
- Over 112,000 students were served through the federal and state funded program year 2010 and over 101,000 in 2009.
- Average annual cost of services per student is between $500-$600.
Student Profile
- Most Adult Basic Education (ABE) students are in low intermediate (grades 4-6.9 education level).
- Most Adult Secondary Education (ASE) students were at the low education level (grades 9-10.9).
- Most English as a Second Language (ESL) students were at the beginning level, meaning little or no literacy in English.
- 54% of Adult Education students are in ESL (2009-2010).
- 75% are Hispanic.
Adult Basic Education
Texas’ federally-funded ABE program exceeds the national average in all performance categories except one, with an overall performance of 12 percentage points higher than the national average. Based on its 2010 monitoring visit, the Office of Vocational and Adult Education reported that Texas’ federally-funded ABE program had no areas of deficiency and recognized Texas for the following Noteworthy Practices:- A comprehensive, continuous program improvement process that has resulted in significant increases in learner achievement.
- A Texas Educating Adults Management System (TEAMS) that produces valid and reliable data that are widely used for program improvement at the State and local levels.
- A state-of-the-art desk monitoring system to evaluate local performance against State performance targets
- A strong commitment to standards-based education and evidence-based instruction.
- A system to link individual teacher data to learner outcome data.
Even Start
- 31 Even Start programs served 2,046 families, 96% of which were below the federal poverty level. (Program year 2009)
- The Even Start program received a “Commended” rating for meeting 100% of their program quality indicators.
FY2012
Adult Education
- $9,385,700 (State GAA Rider 35)
- $49,255,542 (Federal NOGA)
Adult Education for TANF
- $2,000,000 (State TANF, Rider 35)
- $3,800,000 (Federal TANF, Rider 35)
Evan Start
El Civics
- $6,022,770 (Federal NOGA)
FY2011
Adult Education
- $11,885,700 (State)
- $49,762,253 (Federal)
Adult Education for TANF
- $2,000,000 (State)
- $3,800,000 (Federal)
Even Start
EL Civics
FY2010
Adult Education
- $11,885,700 (State)
- $44,501,162 (Federal)
Adult Education for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families recipients
- $2,000,000 (State)
- $3,800,000 (Federal)
Even Start Family Literacy Program
English Language and Civics Program
As authorized by Rider 46 of the General Appropriations Act, 2009, a new funding formula was created based upon need and performance and was adopted by the SBOE for use beginning in FY11. A base allocation for each provider was calculated to enable providers to offer the same level of contact hours as they had provided in the 2008-09 school year. From the funds remaining for each service provider area, a performance allocation was made available to each provider based on need in the service area. These funds are awarded based on meeting the performance targets for student outcomes and program performance in the previous program year.
Contact
Texas LEARNS
Phone: (713) 696-0700
Toll Free Phone: (866) 696-4233
laguirre@hcde-texas.org