A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2527-2528)
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Adult Education WORKS Act aims to strengthen adult education by amending the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act. It introduces the role of "college and career navigators" to assist individuals with workforce and postsecondary guidance. The bill expands the use of public libraries as service delivery sites for career navigation and workforce development. It also updates definitions to include digital and information literacy skills. Furthermore, the legislation establishes a pilot program for innovative performance accountability systems. Finally, it provides increased funding and specific provisions for professionalizing the adult education workforce.
Yes· 3 of 18
- Scored +6
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill expands access to education, digital literacy, and career services specifically for those needing foundational skills.
- Scored +5
Would students be better off under this?
The bill enhances postsecondary guidance, financial aid navigation, and skill development.
- Scored +5
Is this likely to lift people out of poverty?
By improving adult education and career navigation, the bill helps individuals achieve economic self-sufficiency.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Career Guidance and Navigation: The bill creates a new role for "college and career navigators" to provide tailored guidance, help jobseekers identify training, and assist with financial aid (Section 101(b)(1)(9)(B)).
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Increased Access via Libraries: Individuals can access workforce development and career navigation services through public libraries, which may provide services at different times or in locations more accessible to certain communities (Section 101(i) and Section 101(i)(5)).
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Enhanced Skill Development: The bill emphasizes the importance of digital literacy and information literacy skills to help individuals function effectively in employment, family, and society (Section 101(b)(1)(24) and Section 202(1)).
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Professionalization of Adult Education: The legislation promotes better staffing models, including teacher credentialing, standards, and more opportunities for full-time teaching positions (Section 101(d)(1)(B)(V)).
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Improved Accountability through Innovation: The establishment of a pilot program allows for innovative performance accountability systems that may more accurately reflect the specific objectives of adult education programs (Section 205(b)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly detailed in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill expands access to education, digital literacy, and career services specifically for those needing foundational skills. Would students be better off under this? — The bill enhances postsecondary guidance, financial aid navigation, and skill development. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The focus on English language acquisition and workforce integration supports immigrant populations. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Adult education and reskilling opportunities are highly relevant for middle-aged workers seeking career changes. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill addresses specific populations, including those with learning differences. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill provides workforce development and postsecondary pathways that benefit young adults. Would business owners be better off under this? — A more skilled and trained workforce benefits the business community. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Reskilling opportunities can assist middle-class workers facing economic shifts. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The use of libraries helps extend services to geographically distant or underserved areas.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By improving adult education and career navigation, the bill helps individuals achieve economic self-sufficiency. Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill explicitly mentions supporting adult learners with learning differences and specific needs. Does this make child care cost less? — The bill includes provisions for support services that may include childcare for adult learners.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill supports job readiness and career navigation to help individuals enter the workforce. Is this likely to grow the economy? — By enhancing digital literacy and workforce guidance, the bill aims to improve long-term economic participation.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — The bill provides career navigators to help jobseekers identify and access student financial aid for postsecondary education. Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The emphasis on digital literacy implicitly supports and encourages the use of digital tools and internet connectivity.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill utilizes public libraries to extend services to geographically distant and underserved communities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires local boards to make membership information publicly available on websites.
- 4/9/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2527-2528)
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Todd YoungRepublican · Indiana