The English language competencies demanded to gain and retain employment are increasing steadily in our information and technology based economy, creating additional challenges for the 20% of the U.S. population for whom English is not their primary language.

The Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) has supported state efforts to develop academic content standards for adult education for more than a decade. This project builds on and continues the work done through those investments by developing the English Language Proficiency (ELP) Standards for Adult Education. As part of the project, subject matter experts conducted an analysis of the alignment of the college and career readiness standards with the educational functioning level descriptors of the National Reporting System and revised the descriptors as needed. Three self-guided modules are intended to facilitate teachers’ implementation of the ELP Standards for Adult Education. Project staff will give presentations on the standards at national conferences.