WHEREAS, More than a third of adult Rhode Islanders have not finished high school, a number signaling a substantial literacy deficit. Many children of these adults are in danger of not getting the help or incentives they need, and could be candidates for the kind of early intervention that Reading Recovery has shown can work; and

WHEREAS, A separate block grant or set-aside must be allocated for Adult Basic Education; adult education funding must be channelled through the State Department of Education; and, adult education representatives must be appointed to the Workforce Development Boards mandated by federal law; and

WHEREAS, The members of the Rhode Island Adult Education Commission represent adult literacy organizations which provide critical adult basic education, high school equivalency, and English as a second language services to an estimated 15,000 adults each year. These essential services are helping Rhode Islanders to achieve their fullest potential as community members, workers, parents, and productive citizens; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby memorializes the Congress of the United States on behalf of the Rhode Island Education Commission to maintain a separate block grant for Adult Basic Education, and to also require a minimum of 25% state cash match maintenance of effort provision in any legislation pertaining to Adult Basic Education; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to all of the members of the Rhode Island delegation to the United States Congress.