Top Seven Questions

1. The Working Poor

In 2000, 6.4 million American adults were classified as the “working poor.” The majority —three-fifths— worked full-time but remained in poverty. To make a “living wage” many of these adults require further education and training. For many, the lack of a high school diploma and strong literacy skills is a barrier to the training needed to obtain a job with a living wage. What will you do to address this issue?

Total respondents who chose this: 790
Percentage which chose this as one of top 3 priorities: 43%

2. Priority of Adult Education

As President, will you make adult education and literacy one of your top three educational priorities?

Total respondents who chose this: 710
Percentage which chose this as one of top 3 priorities: 74%

3. Professional Development and Support for Teachers

Given the importance of adult literacy education and its impact on the workforce, what will you do to ensure sufficient training, salaries, and benefits for adult basic education teachers?

Total respondents who chose this: 683
Percentage which chose this as one of top 3 priorities: 32%

4. Competitiveness in a World Economy

A recent government survey indicates that 93 million individuals are at risk at home, at work and in the community because of low levels of literacy. What new investment in adult education will you make to increase access for the unemployed, new immigrants and other at risk populations in order to keep our nation competitive?

Total respondents who chose this: 673
Percentage which chose this as one of top 3 priorities: 51%

5. Adults Left Behind

What role should the federal government take in providing services for adults and out-of-school youth who have been "left behind" by the educational system in their states?

Total respondents who chose this: 652
Percentage which chose this as one of top 3 priorities: 41%

6. Intergenerational Literacy

Children who do not get an education now will become adults who need literacy skills. Then, as parents, they are unable help their children with schoolwork. Without strong parental support for education, children of these individuals may a lso be left behind. What do you see as the role of adult education programs in addressing this intergenerational literacy issue?

Total respondents who chose this: 645
Percentage which chose this as one of top 3 priorities: 44%

7. Funding

Do you believe that Adult Education and Literacy services (including English language learning and family literacy) should be available to all residents who need and seek those services? If so, are you willing to support an increase in funding that would eliminate long waiting lists for these services?

Total respondents who chose this: 641
Percentage which chose this as one of top 3 priorities: 46%

About the Survey

• Describes the process by which the questions were identified, who participated in the survey, and the states survey respondents were from.

Survey Comments

• Lists categories of comments offered by survey participants