Secretary Arne Duncan Testified Before the Senate Budget Committee on ED’s FY 2012 Budget. You can read a transcript of his speech here. The following is the portion of his speech that talks about Adult Education and WIA reauthorization.

The 2012 request also provides significant resources to help adults pursue educational and employment opportunities, including $635 million for Adult Basic and Literacy Education State Grants to help adults without a high school diploma or equivalent to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for postsecondary education, employment, and self-sufficiency, and a total of $3.1 billion in mandatory and discretionary funds for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) State Grants to help States and tribal governments to increase the participation of individuals with disabilities in the workforce.

We are looking forward to the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) so that low- skilled adults and individuals with disabilities have access to the education and training they need to be successful in the 21st century economy. A reauthorized WIA would provide opportunities to upgrade the skills of our nation’s workers so that they are able to compete in this new economy. One of those opportunities includes a new Workforce Investment Fund, which we are proposing in partnership with the Department of Labor, to help provide flexibility for the connections necessary to get people into good jobs or the education needed for a better job. The Fund will also provide resources to evaluate and replicate best practices so that we better serve those who have the hardest time finding work -those with limited basic skills and individuals with disabilities.

Brad Deeds has been selected as Nevada’s new state director of adult education. For the past six years, Deeds served at Truckee Meadows Community College as Manager of Adult Basic Education and in 2010 was an Administrator-of-the-Year candidate. Throughout his stint, he was responsible for launching innovative transitions to post-secondary programs and advocated for adult education at local, state and national levels. Deeds recently served on the National Council of State Directors of Adult Education Immigration Workgroup, and is the Nevada Single Point of Contact for national adult education legislative alerts. Deeds is a founding board member and current recording secretary of Nevada Adult Educators, and is the current President-elect of the Mountain Plains Adult Education Association.

Brad Deeds fills the position vacated by Mary Katherine Moen, who retired August 13^th.  He assumes the responsibilities of Adult Education Coordinator and GED State Administrator on September 27^th, joining department staff in the Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education in Carson City.

September 13 – 19, 2010 is Adult Education and Family Literacy Week! Recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and supported by the National Coalition for Literacy, this is a one-time only dedication to raise public awareness of adult education and family literacy, assist adult learners in need of literacy services, and support increased access to adult education and family literacy programs. Use this opportunity to elevate adult education and family literacy nationwide with policymakers, the media, and the community.

See the NCL Advocacy Clearinghouse and Toolkit for new resources, the latest fact sheets, sample press releases, and commemoration ideas for program directors, instructors, and partner organizations to raise awareness. Leverage the attention of International Literacy Day, September 8, to build momentum for attention to your program.