Adult Education and Literacy Services is housed within the Department of Labor, Licensing and
Regulation as part of the Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning. The Adult Education Office is
located at 1100 N. Eutaw Street, Room 120, Baltimore, MD 21201.
The mission of the Office of Adult Education and Literacy Services (AELS) is to provide leadership for the
establishment of adult education goals, oversight for implementation of the federal Adult Education State
Plan, and administration of the statewide GED® testing program to ensure that adult learners are part of
Maryland's upwardly mobile workforce.
Federal support for adult instructional services is provided by the Workforce
Investment Act, Title II: The Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, and is augmented by Maryland General Funds. The
purpose of these funds is to create a partnership among the Federal Government, States, and localities to prove adult
education and literacy services, in order to:
- assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency;
- assist adults who are parents to obtain the educational skills necessary to become full partners in the educational
development of their children; and
- assist adults in the completion of a secondary school education.
The Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning provides grants for instructional programs in all Maryland
jurisdictions, to offer classes for adults who are interested in improving basic skills in reading, writing, and math, or
learning to speak and understand the English language. Adults may also prepare to earn a high school diploma through the
GED® tests or the National External Diploma Program (NEDP).
Successful completers of both GED® and NEDP programs earn a Maryland High School Diploma.
In addition to adult instructional services, the Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning provides
GED® testing for Maryland residents who have not earned a high school diploma.
Test candidates must be at least 16 years old and not enrolled in school.
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