On July 1, adult education programs across the nation were expecting the release of long-promised, already-allocated federal funds that represent a lifeline for learners striving to change their lives and their communities. But instead of receiving the resources that were committed through the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), programs are left in limbo—uncertain if they can sustain classes, staff, or services into the new program year.

This delay is not just bureaucratic red tape—it’s a devastating blow to a field that has long been underfunded and undervalued, despite playing a critical role in our country’s workforce development, educational equity, and economic mobility. Adult education is not a luxury. It is a necessity. And withholding these funds that were already approved puts millions of adult learners at risk.

Adult education is transformative. Every year, millions of adults take courageous steps to earn a high school diploma, learn English, build digital skills, or retrain for the workforce. These are not just personal milestones, they are public wins. Adult learners become skilled workers, engaged parents, and informed citizens. They enter community colleges better prepared, fill gaps in local labor markets, and uplift entire families in the process.

Adult education is the talent pipeline that so many industries and community colleges desperately need. With more than 8 million open jobs in the U.S., we simply cannot afford to sideline the very programs that help workers with low literacy, limited English proficiency, or no diploma gain the skills required to succeed. These are often the very same individuals who are first-generation students, refugees, single parents, or adults balancing two jobs while trying to earn a better future.

Even more powerfully, adult education breaks generational cycles of poverty and illiteracy. When parents gain literacy skills, their children are more likely to succeed in school. When adults go back to learning, entire households thrive.

To withhold these already-allocated funds is not just an administrative error, it is a betrayal of those who have already waited too long for an opportunity. It undermines the trust between the government and local communities. It signals that the success of adult learners—many of whom are low-income, marginalized, or overlooked—is not a priority.

We urge OMB and federal leaders to act immediately. Release the funds that were promised. Ensure that adult education programs can continue to serve learners without interruption or hardship. Lives are on the line. Futures hang in the balance.

Investing in adult education is not just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do for our economy, our workforce, and our democracy.

Sharon Bonney is the Chief Executive Officer of Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE), a national nonprofit organization representing educators and programs that serve adults seeking to improve foundational skills, complete high school equivalency, and advance in the workforce. COABE advocates for equitable funding, professional development, and public awareness to elevate the field of adult education.



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