Adult Basic Education Program

Evidence Step: Strong Evidence

Department: Labor and Workforce Development

Priority Area: Workforce Development and Employment

Program Description

The Adult Basic Education program provides instruction in literacy, numeracy, English language, and workforce preparedness to adult learners who are basic skills deficient, are ESL, or who lack a high school diploma or equivalency. The program also provides workforce development opportunities to learners, including pre-apprenticeships, postsecondary prep or dual enrollment, integrated education and training, or workplace learning.

Learn More on Program Website

Details

Program Demographic: Adults

Delivery Setting: Other Community Setting, Residential Facility, School, Workplace

Current Participants: 19,354

Research

High school equivalency credentials

Outcomes

Median wages earned by program participants 2nd quarter after program exit

2024: 5576.63

2023: 4649.2

2021: 4666

Program participants’ credential attainment rate after program exit

2024: 29.4%

2023: 38.7%

2021: 44.5%

Program participants’ rate of employment 4th quarter after program exit

2024: 43.3%

2023: 40.9%

2021: 50.3%

Outputs

Number of participants enrolled

2024: 14,234

2023: 11,895

2022: 10,368

Number of participants who attain HSE diploma

2024: 5,540

2023: 3,767

2022: 2,482

Percent of participants who achieve measurable skill gain

2024: 64.7%

2023: 47.9%

2022: 39.2%

Logic Model

If we provide a high-quality Adult Basic Education program to individuals who are basic skills deficient, ESL, or lack a high school diploma or equivalency, then we will help those learners strengthen their literacy, numeracy, English language proficiency, and workforce preparedness and, in doing so, help more Tennesseans to achieve greater education and economic opportunities.