Report on U.S. Senate Initiatives Supporting Adult Literacy and Sustainable Development Goals

Legislative Actions and Alignment with SDG 4 (Quality Education)

Recent legislative actions within the U.S. Senate demonstrate a commitment to advancing adult literacy, a key component of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education). These initiatives directly support Target 4.6, which aims to ensure that by 2030, a substantial proportion of adults achieve literacy and numeracy.

1. The Senate unanimously passed a resolution designating September 14 through September 20, 2025, as “National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week.”
2. A co-sponsored resolution declaring September as “National Literacy Month” also received unanimous passage.

These observances are designed to raise national awareness and focus on the critical need for adult education, aligning with the global agenda for inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Bipartisan Collaboration and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

The efforts to promote adult literacy are underpinned by strong bipartisan collaboration, reflecting the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). This approach recognizes that complex development challenges require multi-stakeholder cooperation.

• The bipartisan Senate Adult Literacy Caucus, co-chaired by Senator Susan Collins and Senator Jack Reed, serves as a platform for advancing policies to improve literacy among adults.
• Senator Collins emphasized a “whole community approach,” calling for collaboration among employers, educators, institutions of higher learning, workforce boards, and libraries.

This collaborative framework is essential for creating a supportive ecosystem for adult learners and achieving sustainable progress in literacy.

Socio-Economic Impact and Broader SDG Contributions

Improving adult literacy has far-reaching implications that contribute to several other Sustainable Development Goals, fostering a more inclusive and prosperous society.

• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Enhanced literacy and numeracy skills are fundamental for securing decent employment and contribute to overall economic productivity and growth.
• SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Adult education is a critical tool for poverty alleviation, empowering individuals with the skills needed to improve their livelihoods and reducing socio-economic disparities.
• SDG 5 (Gender Equality): By ensuring that all adults have the opportunity to achieve literacy, these initiatives support the empowerment of all genders, promoting equality in both educational and economic spheres.

Recognition of Advocacy Efforts

In recognition of her commitment to these goals, Senator Susan Collins was presented with the Coalition on Adult Basic Education’s (COABE) Adult Education Champion Award. This award acknowledges her leadership in strengthening adult education systems and supporting adult learners, work that is integral to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals related to education and human potential.

1. SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The article’s central theme is adult literacy and education. It discusses initiatives like “National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week” and the work of the “bipartisan Senate Adult Literacy Caucus” to advance policies aimed at improving literacy among adults. This directly aligns with SDG 4’s goal to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article emphasizes a collaborative approach to tackling adult illiteracy. Senator Collins is quoted as saying, “Improving adult literacy takes a whole community approach – our employers, educators, institutions of higher learning, workforce boards, libraries, and other partners.” This highlights the formation of multi-stakeholder partnerships, including the “bipartisan Senate Adult Literacy Caucus,” which is a core principle of SDG 17.

2. Specific Targets Identified

1. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.6: By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy.

     This target is directly addressed. The entire article focuses on efforts to “improve literacy among adults” and “strengthen adult education.” The creation of the Senate Adult Literacy Caucus and the designation of a national week for adult education are concrete actions aimed at achieving this target.

   • Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.

     This target is relevant through the mention of a “whole community approach” that includes “employers” and “workforce boards.” This connection implies that the goal of improving adult literacy is not just for personal enrichment but also to equip adults with the necessary skills for better employment opportunities.

2. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

     The article provides clear examples of this target in action. The “bipartisan Senate Adult Literacy Caucus” is a public partnership. Furthermore, the call for a “whole community approach” involving “employers, educators, institutions of higher learning, workforce boards, libraries, and other partners” is a direct appeal for the public-private and civil society partnerships that this target aims to promote.

3. Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article does not provide quantitative data but implies several qualitative or process-based indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

1. For SDG 4 (Targets 4.6 and 4.4)

   • Existence of policies and awareness campaigns:

     The “unanimous passage of bipartisan resolutions” to designate “National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week” and “National Literacy Month” serves as an indicator of increased political will and national focus on adult literacy.

   • Establishment of dedicated bodies:

     The formation and work of the “bipartisan Senate Adult Literacy Caucus” is an indicator of a structured, high-level commitment to “advancing policies to help improve literacy among adults.”

2. For SDG 17 (Target 17.17)

   • Formation of multi-stakeholder partnerships:

     The article explicitly mentions the “bipartisan Senate Adult Literacy Caucus” and the “whole community approach” involving a wide range of partners (employers, educators, libraries, etc.). The existence and promotion of these collaborations are direct indicators of progress toward this target.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: collins.senate.gov