Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) provides free virtual and face-to-face classroom instruction to eligible Missouri citizens in Reading, Language, Mathematics, English Language Competency, Workplace Literacy, Digital Literacy, Civics, and Citizenship. Certified instructors teach all classes. Adult students receive preparation for Missouri’s High School Equivalency exam (HiSET® or GED®) integrated with career specific workforce training. English learners become literate in the English language while learning the responsibilities of citizenship and workforce preparation.
AEL programs around the state offer services, free of charge, to anyone who is at least 17 years of age or 16-year-olds who have met Missouri’s compulsory school attendance requirements. To be eligible for AEL services, individuals must also have one of the following barriers: basic skills deficiency/low literacy levels based on assessment, lack of high school diploma or equivalency, or learning the English language.
Funding for AEL programs is determined through a competitive grant process. Local education agencies, non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, and other eligible groups may apply.
- Adult Student Services
- Program Locations
- MOLearns (Missouri's FREE online classroom)
- High School Equivalency (HSE)
- Missouri Connections
- AEL Directors
Policy and Guidance
New Directors
- Director's Checklist for new AEL Teachers Navigating Initial Certification
- LACES Beginner User Manual
- New Director's Getting Started Checklist
- PCW Pre and Post Workshop Activities for AEL Directors
Forms
- Distance Learning Approval Form
- Request for Professional Development Approval
- Request to Purchase Equipment (AEL-4)
- Time and Effort Personnel Activity Form
- Time and Effort Semi-Annual Certification
- Time and Effort Report
Integrated Education and Training (IET)
Resources
- AEL Teachers
AEL Teachers
- AEL Instructional Standards
- Minnesota's PANDA (Physical and Nonapparent Disability Assistance)
- Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
- Online Educator Certification System Instructions
- PCW Pre and Post Workshop Activities for AEL Teachers
- Teacher Certification
Forms
- Dropout Reporting
As required by law (167.275 RSMo), all public and nonpublic secondary schools are to report secondary students who drop out of school for any reason other than to attend another school, college or university, or enlist in the armed services to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. A 2009 revision to the law now requires the Department to make available by free electronic record on the first business day of each month the number of dropouts reported by school districts during the previous month without the identifying information on individual students.
Because a high school education can significantly increase a person’s lifetime earnings and employability and improve their standard of living, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education wants to contact the students who have left school as soon as possible. When schools report on a regular basis; such as monthly, it increases the chances of students receiving important information from DESE, such as the availability of Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) classes in their area of the state. For more information, contact the hotline at 573-751-1249.
Memorandum to school administrators
Schools having questions may contact the Adult Education and Literacy Office at 573-751-1249 or by e-mail: webreplyvaehotline@dese.mo.govSchools also enter student dropout data in the Missouri Student Information System (MOSIS) annually for accountability purposes.- Related Links
