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    Janet Williams Hoover (502) 564-6606
    Bill Swinford (502) 573-1555 

Adult education program moves from Workforce Development to CPE

FRANKFORT, KY. (June 17, 2003) - Governor Paul E. Patton today announced an organizational change for Kentucky’s adult education and literacy program.

The Department for Adult Education and Literacy, which was an agency of the Cabinet for Workforce Development (CWD), has been abolished. The management of adult education programs has been transitioned to the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE).

This move is the next step in a process that began with the implementation of the Adult Education Reform Act in July 2000.  Since that time, CPE has overseen adult education policy issues and some funding.  Other program functions have remained under the management of the department and CWD.  Dr. Cheryl King, who has had a joint appointment with CWD and CPE since May 2000, will remain associate vice president for adult education at CPE.

“Raising the education and literacy levels of adults in Kentucky is vital to strong economic development and enhanced quality of life,” said Governor Patton.  “We’ve seen remarkable adult education achievements in the past few years but we still have much to accomplish. 

“Providing adult education the highest possible profile by putting it alongside postsecondary education will help the program to continue its momentum and reach the next level of achievement.”

Enrollment in adult education programs has increased from 51,177 in fiscal year 2000 to 86,413 in fiscal year 2002.  Enrollment for the current fiscal year is expected to be more than 90,000.

  In fiscal year 2002, 14,651 people earned GEDs in Kentucky, up from 12,553 in fiscal year 2000.  In addition, the percentage of GED graduates enrolling in postsecondary education has increased from 12 percent in 2000 to 18 percent in 2002.  Employees enrolled in workplace adult education increased from 11,000 in 2001 to 22,000 in 2002.

CPE President Tom Layzell said, “This partnership between adult and postsecondary education shows Kentucky’s willingness to attack old problems in new ways.  And it is another example of this state’s national leadership in education reform at all levels.  I am confident that we will use this opportunity to build on the success we have had in adult education since 2000.”

CWD Secretary Willie Lile pledged the cabinet’s continued support and partnership with adult education.

“Important partnerships have been established between adult education and the cabinet’s employment and training programs in One-Stop Career Centers across the Commonwealth,” Lile said.  “These partnerships will continue unabated to continue the services that individuals and employers need.”

With this change, CWD is made up of the Department for Employment Services, Department for Training and ReEmployment, Department for Technical Education, Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and Department for the Blind.  The agency’s mission is connecting Kentucky to employment, workforce information, education and training.  More CWD information is available at www.workforce.ky.gov. More adult education information is available at www.adulted.state.ky.us/index.htm and www.kyvae.org/. 

For a copy of the Executive Order: <http://gov.state.ky.us/pressreleases/2003/adultedexorder.htm>