[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 147 (Thursday, September 17, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4800-S4801]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 863--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR DESIGNATION OF THE WEEK
OF SEPTEMBER 13 THROUGH 19, 2026, AS ``NATIONAL ADULT EDUCATION AND
FAMILY LITERACY WEEK''
Mr. REED (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. King, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr.
Blumenthal, and Mr. Durbin) submitted the following resolution; which
was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions:
[[Page S4801]]
S. Res. 863
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.
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