Adult education in Arizona is under significant threat due to President Trump's recently released FY 2026 "skinny budget," which proposes sweeping cuts to non-defense discretionary spending, including the complete elimination of federal funding for adult education. This alarming proposal endangers essential programs that provide adult learners with critical skills in literacy, numeracy, English language acquisition, and workforce readiness. 

Why This Matters for Arizona

In Arizona, adult education programs are vital for helping individuals achieve economic mobility and contribute to the state's competitiveness. These programs support adults in gaining employment, advancing their careers, and participating fully in their communities. Over 75% of adult education programs across the country rely on federal funds to operate, and such cuts would devastate these services. Without federal funding, programs in our state risk losing 78% of their budgets which could result in program cuts, programs ending, and students not reaching their goals to complete their GED testing for high school equivalency, improve their English skills, or in some areas continue on into higher education. The proposed budget cuts threaten to dismantle these opportunities, affecting not only individual learners but also the broader economic health of our state. Please continue reading for ways that YOU can take action!

How You Can Take Action

1. Contact Your Legislators: Urge your U.S. Senators and Representatives to support and cosponsor the Adult Education WORKS Act and advocate for $810 million in funding for adult education in the final FY 2025 appropriations bill. COABE provides tools to help you reach out effectively.

• Email your legislator about the “skinny budget” by using the message here. 
• Reach out on social media! Click here to create a message for X.

2. Participate in Upcoming Webinars: Join COABE's webinars to stay informed and engaged. Upcoming sessions include:
Join COABE members and listen to the webinar Mobilizing for Adult Education: Responding to the FY26 Budget Threat 12:00 p.m. AZ time on Friday, May 9, 2025. Register here.

3. Share Your Story: Personal testimonials can be powerful. Share your experiences with friends, neighbors, and community members about adult education programs to highlight their impact. We encourage you to share your stories to advocate for continued support of adult education. 

4. Engage on Social Media: Raise awareness by posting about the importance of adult education. Use hashtags like #AdultEdMatters and tag your legislators to amplify the message. Be sure to share the AALL website and any information you can find about the importance of adult education.

5. Stay Informed: Come back to the AALL website often to keep yourself up to date. You can also subscribe to COABE's newsletters and updates to keep abreast of the latest developments and advocacy opportunities. 

Your Voice Matters!Every action counts in the fight to preserve adult education in Arizona. By contacting legislators, participating in educational webinars, sharing your story, and engaging with your community, you contribute to a collective effort to safeguard these essential programs.

Together, we can ensure that adult learners continue to have access to the education and resources they need to succeed.

The Arizona Association for Lifelong Learning (AALL) Board of Directors remains committed to raising awareness about the importance of adult education throughout Arizona. But to truly make an impact, we need the unified support of our entire adult education community to raise our voices and ensure they are heard by our policy makers.