A Letter from the Executive Director

Dear Colleagues,

The 2026 midterm elections are more than a moment to cast a ballot. They are an opportunity to shape the conversations, relationships, and policy decisions that will influence the future of adult education.

With Election Day approaching, civic engagement is rising, and conversations about the issues that matter to our communities are taking center stage. For those of us committed to adult education, this is an important opportunity to make sure our field is part of those conversations.

At NAFTAE, we are working to help you stay informed about the policy developments, leadership changes, and funding decisions that could affect adult learners and the programs that serve them. Through our webinars, policy updates, advocacy tools, and newly launched Resources page, we are bringing together the information and practical guidance you need to understand what is changing—and what you can do about it.

But information is only the beginning. This is a moment to turn awareness into action.

I encourage you to reach out to district offices for your Members of Congress, state legislators, and local elected officials. Introduce them to adult education. Share the data and stories that demonstrate its impact. Invite them to visit your program. Ask about their priorities and help them understand how public policy decisions affect adult learners, employers, and communities.

You do not need to wait until after the election to begin building these relationships. In fact, the conversations you start now can help lay the groundwork for continued engagement long after the ballots are counted. Regardless of who wins, adult education advocates have an important role to play in ensuring that decision-makers understand our field and the people it serves.

The challenges before us are real, but so is our collective capacity to make a difference. Every conversation, every relationship, and every opportunity to share our story can help strengthen the foundation for future advocacy.

NAFTAE is here to help you navigate this moment and prepare for what comes next. I hope you will explore our resources, join us for our upcoming webinar, and take one concrete step this week to connect with a decision-maker.

The future of adult education is shaped not only by the decisions made in government, but also by the voices that help inform them. Let’s make sure ours are heard.

In advocacy,

Executive News

EDGAR Proposed Rule — Comment Period Closed. On August 24, ED released a proposed rule to amend the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), which governs the administration of federal education grants. The rule would give ED broad authority to terminate competitive grants to K-12 schools and colleges. The public comment period closed on September 23, 2026. Read more about the potential impact on NAFTAE's blog, and see NAFTAE's public comments here.

Workforce Pell Expansion Continues. ED continues to approve short-term workforce training programs for Workforce Pell Grant eligibility. Five Texas community colleges — including Kilgore College, which offers pathways in electrical power line work, phlebotomy, and pharmacy technology — recently received approval, joining institutions in Nebraska, Iowa, and Indiana. ED's Office of Federal Student Aid also released an online training course in September on eligibility and approval requirements for Workforce Pell programs.

Congressional News

Congress in Recess Ahead of Midterms

Both the House and Senate have adjourned and will not return until November 9 to begin a five-week lame-duck session. With the government funded only through December 11, 2026 under the current continuing resolution, the lame duck will be consequential — members will need to decide whether and how to finalize FY2027 appropriations, including the Labor-HHS-Education bill that funds Title II adult education grants. Separately, bipartisan Senate appropriators are exploring language to protect federal grantmaking from executive interference in any year-end spending deal.

House Education & Workforce Committee Leadership Race

The race for the top Democrat position on the House Education and Workforce Committee has become a three-way contest. Current Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA) is seeking to retain the position. Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT) launched a formal challenge on September 7, and Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) announced she is also exploring a bid. Leadership elections will take place after the midterms. The outcome matters for adult education: the Ranking Member sets Democratic priorities on WIOA reauthorization and Title II funding.

Adult Education and Family Literacy Week Resolutions Passed

S.Res.863, the bipartisan Senate resolution recognizing the week of September 13–19, 2026 as "National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week," passed the Senate by unanimous consent on September 23. A companion House resolution, H.Res.1550, was introduced by Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA) with bipartisan support.

NAFTAE's Asks

Visit Your Members at Home

Congress is in recess through November 9 — this is the best window of the year to invite your Members of Congress to visit your programs. Use NAFTAE's customizable template to reach out (find contact information here).

Advocate Year-Round

AEFL Week may be behind us, but the work continues. NAFTAE's Advocacy Toolkit has resources to help you raise awareness and make the case for adult education in your community throughout the year.

Watch the Lame Duck

The December 11 government funding deadline means FY2027 appropriations — including Title II adult education funding — will be decided in a compressed post-election window. Stay engaged and be ready to contact your members in their DC offices when Congress returns November 9.

MACAE Puts Adult Learners at the Center of Advocacy

What happens when adult learners have the opportunity to speak directly with the people seeking to represent them? The Michigan Adult, Community & Alternative Education Association (MACAE), in partnership with Kent ISD, brought more than 120 adult learners together with four state legislative candidates for a roundtable discussion about the issues affecting their lives and futures.

The event offered more than an opportunity to share perspectives. It created space for learners to ask their own questions, connect directly with candidates, and build their understanding of the voting process through follow-up classroom discussions.

This is a model other states and programs can replicate. By bringing adult learners and policymakers together—and pairing those conversations with practical civic education—adult education providers can strengthen relationships with decision-makers while helping learners engage more fully in their communities.

Could your state replicate this approach? Read how MACAE made it happen and explore what this model could look like in your community. Read the full story on NAFTAE’s blog.

Webinar Series

Save the date for the last webinar in our 2026 Election Webinar Series.

November 5, 3-4pm ET

After the Votes: What the 2026 Midterms Mean for Adult Education | REGISTER

The votes are in. What changed, what did we learn, and what comes next for adult education advocacy? Join NAFTAE for a post-election look at the new landscape and how the field can use what we learned to build relationships, identify opportunities, and plan for the next phase of advocacy.

If you missed a webinar, you can access the recordings on our Resources page.

Your Go-To Hub for Adult Education Advocacy

Everything you need to strengthen your advocacy efforts—all in one place.

NAFTAE’s newly launched Resources page brings together the tools, information, and training you need to advance adult education advocacy. From reports and toolkits to webinars, state data, and practical guides, you’ll find resources designed to help you understand the issues, strengthen your message, and turn knowledge into action.

Whether you’re preparing for a meeting with a legislator, looking for data to support your case, building advocacy skills, or mobilizing others in your community, NAFTAE’s Resources page is the place to start.

Explore the resources. Find what you need. Take action for adult education.

Visit the NAFTAE Resources page today and discover what you can put to work in your state and community.

NAFTAE State Factsheets

NAFTAE State Fact Sheets provide a snapshot of adult education in each state, using data from the National Reporting System (NRS). Use these fact sheets to better understand the adult education landscape in your state, identify key trends and outcomes, and bring state-specific data into conversations with policymakers, partners, and community leaders.

Find your state factsheet and featured adult learner impact story here.