WHEREAS:

The Adult Education Act was enacted to expand educational opportunity and encourage programs of adult public education that will enable adults to continue their education to at least the level of completion of secondary schools; and

WHEREAS:

More than 2.7 million adults enroll annually in programs funded under the provisions of the Adult Education Act; and

WHEREAS:

Approximately 23 million American adults are functionally illiterate by the simplest tests of everyday reading, writing and comprehension; and

WHEREAS:

The Fiscal Year 1980 appropriation for adult education was $122.6 million and the current Administration request for FY '85 is $100 million; and

WHEREAS:

Using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) compounded figures since FY '80, the funds necessary to sustain the program at level services would require $179.7 million in FY '85.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME is concerned with the adult illiteracy problem and urges increased federal funding of the Adult Education program to allow more adults to be served.

SUBMITTED BY:

Ora L. Francis, President
Oleta G. Foley, Secretary
AFSCME Local 1550
Houston, Texas