MCAE’s most important national priority is the annual federal funding allocation for adult basic education: the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Title II of WIOA is the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) program administered by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE). This program is designed to help adults get the basic skills they need including reading, writing, math, English language proficiency, and problem-solving to be productive workers, family members, and citizens. OCTAE provides federal funds to states for adult education and literacy programs. The amount each state receives is based on a formula established by Congress. States, in turn, distribute funds to local eligible providers to develop, implement and improve adult education and literacy activities.
The Massachusetts WIOA Implementation Plan describes how WIOA programs are implemented and connected across the Commonwealth. Though WIOA provides only about one-fifth of the public funding for Massachusetts ABE programs, it is a significant driver of policies, practices, and priorities.
MCAE is a member of the national Coalition of Adult Basic Education (COABE) and occasionally supports other federal issues raised by COABE.