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Adult Basic Education and Literacy Act

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jul 8, 1997

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendment to the Adult Education Act Title II: Effective Date; Transition Title III: Repeals of Other Acts Title I: Amendment to the Adult Education Act - Adult Basic Education and Literacy Act - Amends the Adult Education Act to revise and rename it the Adult Basic Education and Literacy Act. Authorizes appropriations for national leadership activities and for State grants for adult education and literacy, including technical assistance in developing performance goals and uniform national performance data. Sets forth authority and priorities for Adult Education and Literacy programs, including: (1) State grants, leadership activities, administration, and plans; (2) State awarding of subgrants and contracts to eligible applicants; (3) performance goals and indicators; (4) evaluation, improvement, and accountability reports; and (5) allotments and reallotment of funds. Provides for national leadership and evaluation activities. Authorizes use of reserved funds for specified purposes, including research and development, demonstration programs, information dissemination, assessments, support for State and local capacity building, data collection, professional development, and technical assistance for distance learning and use of technology in the classroom. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make awards for national excellence to States for specified types of program achievements. Revises provisions for the National Institute for Literacy. Sets forth conditions for waivers of certain program requirements. Title II: Effective Date; Transition - Sets forth effective date and transition provisions. Title III: Repeals of Other Acts - Repeals: (1) the National Literacy Act of 1991; and (2) specified provisions of the Higher Education Act of 1965 for grants to States for workplace and community training for incarcerated youth offenders.

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Who introduced it

Sen. Kennedy, Edward M. [D-MA] · D–MA

Committees

  • Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.

  2. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6993)

  3. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.994 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.994 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.994 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.994 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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