ABE in WV - Cost and Effectiveness

During fiscal year 1999, 23,751 adults were served through state and federal adult education funding. The following statistics illustrate some of the ways ABE impacts on the cycles of illiteracy, poverty, and dependence on pubic assistance.

**ROGRAM IMPACT**
AREA OF IMPACT	# ADULTS
Occupational/Employment:
Obtained employment	1,623
Changed to or were upgraded to a better job	473
Removed from public assistance	216
Educational:
Pursued additional training or education	1,971
Passed the GED test and obtained a diploma	2,057
Obtained computer skills	7,374
Learned the English language	359
Personal:
Improved ability to help children in school	2,265
Registered to vote or voted for the first time	121

The 23,751 adult learners served through ABE funding received approximately 900,000 hours of instruction. As an economic investment, ABE more than pays for itself. The balance sheet for 1998-1999 indicates the following:

**Cost Effectiveness**
Dollars Spent:
Federal	$ 4,023,090
State	$ 2,705,032
TOTAL	$ 6,728,122
Estimated Dollars Saved or Earned:
Public Assistance Savings	$ 886,680
New Income	$ 17,385,576
Increased Income	$ 245,960
New Taxes Generated	$ 3,526,307
TOTAL	$ 22,044,523

Public assistance savings is based on the number of individuals removed from public assistance and the resultant savings from the annual benefits which would have been paid (216 removed X $4,105 estimated annual benefits from cash and food stamps. Medicaid figures were not available.

New income estimates are based on 1,623 ABE students obtaining jobs at $5.15/hour X 40 hours/week X 52 weeks. Increased income estimates are based on 473 ABE students obtaining a salary increase X $.25 additional hourly wage X 40 hours/week X 52 weeks.
New taxes are generated based on 20% of new income and increased income.