PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Texas Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) program serves approximately 90,000 adult learners annually through a statewide network of local grantees. The program supports underprepared adults in building foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, English language acquisition, and workforce readiness, the key components of Texas’ workforce development strategy.
The Public Policy Research Institute (PPRI) at Texas A&M University is conducting a comprehensive evaluation of Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)–funded AEL programs awarded between 2018 and 2024. Using a mixed-methods approach, the evaluation examines program effectiveness, alignment, access, and learner outcomes from the perspectives of learners, community partners, and employers. Findings will inform continuous quality improvement, statewide coordination, and data-driven decision-making for adult education in Texas.
SPONSORS
APPROACH
RESEARCH TEAM
- Statewide network of Texas AEL grantees.
- Adult learners across urban, rural, and regional contexts.
- AEL program directors, instructors, staff and career navigators.
- Texas Workforce Commission and TCALL staff.
Goals
- Assess the effectiveness of AEL service delivery models across Texas.
- Evaluate statewide alignment and coordination among AEL grantees.
- Examine learner outcomes related to education, employment, and career pathways.
- Identify barriers, promising practices, and opportunities for improvement.
- Support continuous quality improvement and policy development.
Funding Acknowledgment
Outcomes
This project is supported by the Texas Workforce Commission. Findings and conclusions reflect the perspectives of the research team and participating stakeholders and do not necessarily represent official agency policy.
- Evidence-based insights into statewide AEL program effectiveness.
- Identification of scalable and sustainable best practices.
- Actionable recommendations to enhance access, outcomes, and program quality.