The document discusses the importance of literacy and numeracy skills for individuals and the economy in the 21st century workplace. It notes that adult basic education can no longer be separate from occupational training. Several statistics are presented showing declining literacy levels and growing job vacancy rates requiring postsecondary education. Challenges to completing postsecondary programs are discussed. The need to better align workforce development programs and increase support for adult basic education is emphasized.

1. Oswego Employer Workforce Literacy Summit John Twomey, NYATEP

5. Some statistics from…. Ed Gordon, Futurist

6. When It All Changed Employment Gains by Education: 1992-2002 National Statistics Employment Policy Foundation tabulation of BLS Statistics

9. Earnings Gain HSDO to GED/HSD

10. Earnings Gains HSD to Associate’s

11. Earnings Gains HSD to B.A.

12. Working Age Adults HSDO

13. Adults Aged 25 – 64 HSG only Adults Aged 25 – 64 HSG only

14. Job Openings by Skill Level

15. US Unemployment Rate

16. Vacant Jobs 2009

17. Reach Higher America Language Challenge Credential Challenge Literacy Numeracy Challenge Post-Sec Education Challenge Total Number of U.S. Adults (18 – 64) 6,466,383 23,247,930 34,288,383 23,997,303 88,000,000 Percent of Total U.S. Adults (18 – 64) 153 Million 4.7% 17.0% 20.1% 15.7% 57.5%

19. NAEP

23. WIA Funding

24. Theory vs. Fiscal Reality Program FY09 Enacted FY2010 House Labor H FY2010 Senate Labor H WIA Adult $861,540,000 $861,540,000 $861,540,000 WIA Dislocated $1,183,840,000 $1,183,840,000 $1,183,840,000 WIA Youth $924,069,000 $924,069,000 $924,069,000 Employment Service $703,576,000 $703,576,000 $703,576,000 Perkins VATEA $1,271,694,000 $1,271,694,000 $1,271,694,000 Adult Basic and Literacy Education $567,468,000 $639,567,000 $641,567,000

25. GEDs awarded per 1,000

26. Enrollment in ABE per 1,000 dropouts

27. Affordability

28. Affordability

29. Affordability

30. Affordability

31. ESL per 1,000 Adults

32. The Demand Side