Promoting Evidence for Adult Learning

Research Allies for Lifelong Learning is now in its 14th year! As you learn more about our research and evaluation, we invite you to view our latest adult education research findings.

~~~~~

Starting with Learners to Measure the Value of AFE

Do U.S. adult learners really “get what they came for” in adult foundational education programs – and how do we measure the value of what they get? Measuring the return on investment (ROI) of adult foundational education (AFE) is an important priority of the Evidence-Based Adult Education System (E-BAES), an initiative of the Open Door Collective. Research Allies for Lifelong Learning partnered with E-BAES / Literacy Minnesota on an E-BAES research grant from ALL IN. The ROI Pilot research started with perspectives of adult learners – what drew them to AFE and what they gained from AFE participation. An Adult Learner Survey (ALS) of 793 adult learners determined learners’ priority reasons for starting AFE programs and outcomes learners made. Focus groups in 2024 confirmed ALS findings with educators and collected insights from instructors, program directors, and state directors in four states – on measuring costs and benefits of AFE and designing a future national ROI study.

Now that the ROI Pilot is complete, check out these findings. A new paper shares major survey results and offers four quantifiable priority areas that may be considered as topics for further study of learner return-on-investment.

~~~~~

Responsive Research in Adult Foundational Education

How can responsive research strengthen adult foundational education (AFE)? A 2025 brief on Supporting Effective Research from the Equity in Research working group of the CREATE Adult Skills Network explores what researchers should consider as they study the field. The purpose of the brief is to guide researchers — especially those new to AFE — in designing studies that are feasible, respectful, and aligned with the realities of AFE programs. This brief offers practical guidance for designing studies that truly work in real AFE settings. It highlights three essential components researchers need to include: how to understand the field’s unique contexts, how to collaborate meaningfully with practitioners and learners, and how to communicate findings in clear, accessible ways.

Why Responsive Research in Adult Foundational Education Matters

• Millions of adults in the U.S. have low literacy (28%), numeracy (34%), or digital skills, affecting employment, family well‑being, and access to community services.
• AFE programs can improve these outcomes — and involving staff and adult learners in the research helps support programs to be effective, equitable, and responsive to real learner needs.
• Learner participation helps shift the research paradigm from studying about learners to studying with them.