Dear Friends and Supporters of Adult Education,
A critical moment has arrived for the future of adult education in our country—and right here in Kansas City.
The President’s recently released FY26 “Skinny Budget” proposal calls for sweeping cuts to non-defense discretionary spending, including the complete elimination of federal funding for adult education. While this proposal may not be enacted as written, it sends a clear and alarming signal: our adult education system is under threat.
In Kansas City, adult education is a vital part of our workforce development pipeline and a cornerstone of community well-being. At Literacy KC, the largest Department of Elementary and Secondary Education-funded program in the state of Missouri, we see every day how access to literacy, high school equivalency, English language learning, and digital skills can transform lives. From helping parents support their children’s education to empowering individuals to gain employment and advance their careers, adult education is not optional—it is essential.
Over 75% of adult education programs across the country rely on federal funds to operate. These programs provide a lifeline for learners working hard to overcome barriers and build a better future for themselves, their families, and our communities. The proposed cuts would devastate this work and silence the progress made by thousands of adult learners across Missouri and beyond.
We need your voice now. Please join Literacy KC and our partners across the country in standing up for adult education by contacting your elected officials at both the state and federal levels.
Here’s how you can take action:
• Call your U.S. Senators and Representatives using a sample script provided by COABE (the Coalition on Adult Basic Education).
• Email your legislators with a personalized message explaining why adult education matters in our community.
• Engage on social media—tag your lawmakers and share a success story from your experience or from Literacy KC’s work. If you are on X, please post a message there using this sample.
• Reach out to your Missouri State Representatives and Senators and urge them to advocate for continued investment in adult education at the state level. You can look up your MO legislators here.
• Amplify the message by sharing this information with friends, family, educators, business leaders, and community partners.
Please remember to take these actions as a private citizen, using your personal email, phone, and social media accounts.
Your voice can help protect and preserve the future of adult education—not just for Kansas City, but for learners across the nation. Let’s act now to ensure opportunity remains within reach for every adult who seeks it.
With gratitude and urgency,
Gillian Helm, CEO