The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA, Pub. L. 113-128, July 2014), the first major reform in the publicly funded workforce system since 1998, increases access to employment, education, training, and support services for individuals, particularly those with barriers to employment. Title II of WIOA, the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), presents an extraordinary opportunity to improve the quality of life for individuals with low skills. WIOA Section 203 encourages programs to provide instruction tied to "activities, programs or services designed to help an individual acquire a combination of basic academic skills, critical thinking skills, digital literacy skills and self-management skills, including competencies in utilizing resources, using information, working with others, understanding systems and obtaining skills necessary for successful transition into and completion of postsecondary education or training, or employment." (WIOA, Pub. L. 113-128, Section 203, July 2014). 

Based upon public comments received during the WIOA rule-making process, technical assistance conversations with states, and ongoing community of practice conversations in LINCS, it is clear to OCTAE that adult education teachers need support and training in how to meaningfully integrate these skills (i.e., the skills that matter) into regular adult education classroom instruction.