[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 140 (Thursday, September 15, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S5847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REED (for himself and Ms. Baldwin):
  S. 3349. A bill to amend the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical 
Education Act of 2006 to improve career and technical education 
opportunities for adult learners, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I am proud to introduce the Career and 
Technical Education for Adult Learners or the CTE for All Act with my 
colleague, Senator Baldwin.
  Our legislation addresses the critical need to expand educational 
opportunities for working adults with low academic skills. A Department 
of Education update of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and 
Development, OECD, 2013 Survey of Adult Skills confirms that a 
significant number of working adults in the United States have low 
literacy, numeracy, and digital problem solving skills. Specifically, 
14 percent have low literacy skills; 23 percent have low numeracy 
skills; and 62 percent have low digital problem solving skills. 
Moreover, the skills gap has no age barrier as half of low skilled 
working adults are under the age of 45.
  Our ability to accelerate the economic momentum we have seen in the 
latest income data from the U.S. Census Bureau will depend, in large 
part, on our commitment to providing education and training 
opportunities to low-skilled adults. These workers are concentrated in 
fields such as construction, health care, manufacturing, and 
hospitality. Expanding career and technical education opportunities to 
these workers could enhance their career opportunities and strengthen 
their earning potential, fueling economic productivity and growth for 
the future. Unfortunately, according to the U.S. Department of 
Education, roughly half of low-skilled workers are not engaged in 
formal or non-formal learning opportunities. The CTE for All Act aims 
to change that by ensuring that there are pathways for adult learners 
in career and technical education programs.
  Specifically, our legislation will ensure that programs funded under 
the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act are aligned with 
adult education programs and industry sector partnerships authorized 
under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The CTE for All Act 
will require that the state director for adult education is consulted 
in the development of the statewide plan for career and technical 
education. The bill adds low-skilled adults to the special populations 
to be served in career and technical education programs and will allow 
states to report separate performance indicators for adult career and 
technical education students. The legislation would also allow adult 
education providers that offer integrated education and training 
programs to receive career and technical education funding. 
Additionally, the legislation encourages career and technical education 
programs to include work experiences for their students.
  We have worked with the adult education community and other 
stakeholders in developing this legislation. We are pleased to have the 
support of the National Council of State Directors of Adult Education, 
the Commission on Adult Basic Education, the National Skills Coalition, 
the Center for Law and Social Policy, CLASP, and the National Council 
of Adult Learning.
  We are stronger as a nation when every person--no matter their 
starting point--has the opportunity to develop their skills and reach 
their potential. The CTE for All Act will strengthen the ladder of 
opportunity for low-skilled adults who work hard every day to provide 
for their families. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation 
and work with us to include these provisions in the reauthorization of 
the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act.

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