Political Quotes

“Madam President, I am pleased to introduce the bipartisan Strengthening Research in Adult Education Act with my colleague, Senator Young. We are in urgent need of identifying and disseminating innovative and effective methods for supporting adult learners. Our legislation will ensure that there is a strong research base to improve educational programs for adults seeking to advance their literacy, numeracy, and digital and information literacy skills. The most recent data from the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies show an urgent need for action in adult education, with an estimated 18 percent of adults ages 16 to 65 in the United States performing at the lowest levels of literacy; 28 percent at the lowest levels of numeracy; and 23 percent at the lowest levels of digital problem solving. This is a dire situation. These are essential skills for postsecondary education and the workplace. Beyond their value in the labor market, these skills are also correlated with health and civic participation, making adult education critically important to the health and well-being of our people, our economy, and our democracy. In Rhode Island, it is estimated that more than 84,000 working-age adults have less than a high school education. Nearly 65,000 have limited English proficiency. Yet we are reaching just over 5,000 through the current adult education program. Clearly, we need more resources and innovative, research-based ways to reach more people.…”