Statement of Adult Learner Rights

Statement of Facts

The 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy estimated that 30 million people over the age of 16 in the United States can barely read and write in English and that an additional 60 million have basic literacy skills far below what is considered adequate for earning a living wage in today's technology and information-oriented society. Globally, 774 million adults are illiterate. In the United States, adults who dropped out of high school and later enroll in adult basic education or literacy classes to earn a high school diploma or GED can increase their earnings by an average of $9,000 a year. Yet combined current funding from the federal government, state governments, and philanthropic sources support instruction in basic literacy, English as a second language, adult secondary education, computer training, and vocational education for just 3 million adults.

We Believe

• That the ability to read, write, perform math, and use technology is a basic human right
• That everyone, from children to adults in every part of the world, has the right to learn these skills and to have access to programs that make it possible for them to acquire those skills
• That education is a lifelong pursuit
• That literacy skills are key to reducing poverty, crime, poor health, high health care costs, human rights abuse, and increasing the literacy of children

We Envision

• A world where all adults have the skills they need to communicate in their native language.
• A United States where all adults can read, write, speak, and understand English and use these skills for critical thinking, to perform math, and use technology at a level that makes it possible for them to achieve their greatest potential as parents, employees, and members of their communities.

Commitments/Proposals for Action

1. We support an integrated and coordinated adult education system that offers instruction in many ways, from the traditional adult basic education programs to volunteer-based community organizations
2. We believe adequate funding should be made available to provide for advertising and public awareness campaigns to ensure that all adult learners are made aware of the availability of these services
3. We will work to see that this adult education system receives enough public money to support instruction for all adults who want it
4. We will work for funding sources to support a comprehensive adult basic education and literacy system that provides for and values all adult learners accomplishing their personal and family literacy goals, academic improvement, and credentialing
5. We support methods of instruction that make it possible for all adults to continue their instruction even when attendance in a class or taking part in face-to-face tutoring sessions is not possible
6. We want adult educational services to be free, accessible, and made available in safe locations
7. We will work to see that all adult learners are included in developing adult education related policy at the local, state, and national levels
8. We support all adult learners' access to testing, evaluation, and required accommodation for learning and/or other disabilities
9. We call for all adult learners to have all necessary information about the education choices that are available to them and that they be included in decisions related to their education