Minnesota ABE is a major player in workforce education.  It works proactively with Workforce Service Areas, Workforce Centers, MNSCU, DEED, and others to formulate creative solutions to the workforce needs of employers, including on-site ABE/ESL classes, the Essential Skills Certificate, and the Work Readiness Credential.  The state ABE office extablished workforce education as a top priority five years ago, with a current emphasis on insuring successful transitions to post-secondary training and education.

Minnesota ABE is strategic, lean and outcome-based.  Over 85% of all funding supports direct instruction.  The state has surpassed federal goals for each of the past several years.  And the cost?  $610 per adult learner each year.

The Minnesota Department of Education estimates ABE returns 3 to 5 times the expenditure back to the state in cash and in savings.  In a recent year, the increased income for GED and adult diploma graduates was estimated at $120 million, generating nearly $10 million in taxes.

Dropouts in the late 90's earned an average of $20,300; earners with some college brought home $31,600.  The gap has only increased since then.  The average dropout earns $7,000 less annually than the average high school or GED graduate.

As ABE students improve their skills and earnings, benefits accrue to the state, including higher tax revenues and more families that are economically stable.  The state burden for social services also declines.

In 2007, Minnesota ABE granted over 7,100 GEDs (11% of all high school diplomas issued in the state).  Nearly 6,300 adult learners reported gaining or bettering employment, and over 4,900 entered post-secondary education.  Over 14,450 learners reported being able to better assist their children in school.

Research shows that for prison inmates the link between high school equivalency and reduced recidivism is strong.  If only 20% of incarcerated ABE learners in a given year did not return to prison as a result of ABE, this would save the state of Minnesota approximately $44 million annually in incarceration costs.

To read more about the accomplishments of ABE click here.