September 17, 2026
Mr. Reed (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. King, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Durbin, and Mr. Luján) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
September 23, 2026
Committee discharged; considered and agreed to
Expressing support for designation of the week of September 13 through 19, 2026, as National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week
.
Whereas recent data from the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies indicate that 28 percent of adults in the United States performed at Level 1 or below in literacy and 34 percent of adults in the United States performed at Level 1 or below in numeracy;
Whereas data from the 2023 American Community Survey indicate that nearly 21,000,000 adults in the United States lack a high school credential and more than 20,000,000 adults have limited English proficiency;
Whereas the literacy, numeracy, English-language, digital, and workforce skills of the people of the United States are essential to the economic strength, competitiveness, and national security of the United States;
Whereas a skilled and adaptable workforce is critical to meeting the evolving needs of employers, strengthening local and regional economies, and maintaining the competitive position of the United States in the global economy;
Whereas adult education and literacy programs provide individuals with the foundational skills necessary to access employment, career advancement, postsecondary education and training, career technical education, and apprenticeship opportunities;
Whereas adult education plays an essential role in a skills-based economy by helping individuals develop, demonstrate, and communicate the skills needed to succeed in education, the workforce, and their communities;
Whereas literacy, numeracy, digital literacy, and the ability to effectively use artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are increasingly important for individuals to navigate a rapidly changing economy, access education and training, and participate fully in the workplace and society;
Whereas English-language acquisition programs help individuals strengthen their English proficiency, prepare for and advance in employment, pursue education and training, and contribute their skills and talents to the economy and communities of the United States;
Whereas adult education serves as a critical on-ramp to the workforce development system, career and technical education, integrated education and training, pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship programs, and postsecondary education;
Whereas employers across the United States need access to a skilled and adaptable workforce, and adult education programs help expand the talent pool of the United States by equipping adults with the foundational, workforce, and durable skills necessary to meet evolving workforce needs;
Whereas adult education and literacy programs support economic mobility by helping individuals strengthen their skills, earn secondary and industry-recognized credentials, transition to postsecondary education and training, enter employment, and advance along career pathways;
Whereas the educational skills of parents and caregivers have a significant impact on the educational success and well-being of children;
Whereas family literacy programs strengthen the skills of parents and caregivers, increase engagement in the education of their children, and support educational and economic opportunity across generations;
Whereas strong literacy, numeracy, digital, and English-language skills help individuals access and understand health information, financial services, public resources, and other information necessary to make informed decisions for themselves and their families;
Whereas adult education provides individuals of all ages and backgrounds with opportunities to build skills throughout their lives and adapt to changing workplace, technological, and economic demands;
Whereas partnerships among adult education providers, workforce development systems, employers, career and technical education programs, postsecondary education institutions, community-based organizations, and other public and private partners strengthen pathways to economic opportunity and help address local, regional, and national workforce needs;
Whereas investments in adult education and family literacy strengthen individuals, families, employers, communities, and the economy of the United States; and
Whereas National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week highlights the essential role of adult education and literacy in ensuring that individuals across the United States have the skills and opportunities necessary to succeed at home, at work, and in their communities: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved,
That the Senate—
(1)
supports the designation of the week of September 13 through 19, 2026, as National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week
to raise public awareness of the essential role of adult education and family literacy in strengthening workforce skills, economic mobility, families, communities, and the economy of the United States;
(2)
recognizes adult education and family literacy as essential components of the education, workforce development, and economic opportunity infrastructure of the United States;
(3)
recognizes the importance of expanding access to high-quality adult education, literacy, numeracy, English-language acquisition, digital literacy, workforce preparation, and family literacy services;
(4)
encourages stronger partnerships among adult education providers, workforce development systems, employers, career and technical education programs, postsecondary institutions, community-based organizations, and other public and private partners to create effective pathways to education, training, employment, career advancement, and economic mobility; and
(5)
calls on public, private, and nonprofit entities to support and expand access to adult education and family literacy programs so that individuals across the United States can develop the skills needed to thrive in a changing economy and contribute to strong families, communities, and the United States.