What is Adult Basic Education

ADULT BASIC EDUCATION

What is Adult Basic Education?

Adult Basic Education is a division serving adults, 16 years of age and older, who function below the high school completion level. Its emphasis is on Reading, Numeracy, and English Literacy. Adult educators help the adult students to design individual learning plans that correspond to their personal needs and goals: e.g. ,to get a job; to obtain a GED; to enroll in a community college or other training/educational program; to learn the English language, understand the U.S. culture and participate in society; to help their children with their homework and achieve success in school; to get off welfare and earn a family-sustaining income. The Adult Basic Education Division’s mission is to provide the highest quality leadership, services, support, and technical expertise to Adult Basic Education Program personnel, students, partners and communities.

Adult Basic Education Funding History

Adult Basic Education in New Mexico relies on two major sources of funding for its 29 administrative sites in more than 100 communities. State funding comes from the General Fund and is allocated according to a workload driven formula. Federal funding is allocated through a competitive Request For Proposal process. New Mexico experienced a 23% increase in combined state and federal funding over the past five years.

Adult Basic Education Enrollment
Adult Basic Education students are considered enrolled in a program after clocking 12 hours of instructional time. During the three most recent years, Adult Basic Education programs served enrolled students at an average annual cost of $340 per student (state and federal funding combined).

STUDENT OUTCOMES

Adult Basic Education students set goals upon entry into a program. All students are tracked throughout the fiscal year to determine progress toward meeting stated goals. Goal achievement is counted after the student exits the program. The default goal for every student is educational learning gains moving through the following competencies:

• Adult Basic Education (ABE) Levels 1-4
• Adult Secondary Education (ASE) Levels 5-6
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Levels 1-6
Core outcomes for performance measures also include:
• Entered Employment
• Retained Employment
• Obtained a GED
• Entered Postsecondary Education or Training

The State Adult Basic Education Division negotiates performance measures on learning gains and core outcomes annually with the U.S. Department of Education Division of Vocational and Adult Education..