Wyoming Profile of Adult Learning

1. 2010 Wyoming Profile of Adult Learning Adults (Age 18 to 64) In Need of Adult Education and Training, 2010 No College Education, Earning Less than a Living Wage • Wyoming By the Numbers • 38,084 adults have no college education, are working but living in families with a combined income less than a living wage (twice the level of poverty). • 22,595 working-age adults have not completed high school (or equivalent). • 2,165 adults have no college education and speak English poorly or not at all. • 670 adults have not completed high school, speak English poorly or not at all, and are struggling to earn a living wage. • Therefore, 51,008 have at least one of the basic challenges the state must address – 14.3% of all working-age adults in Wyoming. No High School Diploma 38,084 22,595 9,365 11,963 27,515 670 597 Total: 51,008(14.3% of adults) 2,165 534 364 ESL – No College Education, Speaks Little or No English Wyoming’s Adult Population Compared to the U.S. and Top States Gaps Between Whites and Minorities* (25 to 44 Year Olds) Adults with No High School Diploma (%) Age 18-24 High School Attainment (Percent) Wyoming 2000 Wyoming 2000 Wyoming 2010 Wyoming 2010 United States United States Top 5 States Top 5 States Age 25-64 College Attainment (Percent) Wyoming 2000 Wyoming 2000 Wyoming 2010 Wyoming 2010 United States United States Top 5 States Top 5 States Speak English Poorly or Not at All – Age 18 to 64 (%) * Minorities include Hispanic, African-American, and Native American Wyoming 2000 • The percentage of young adults (age 18-24) in Wyoming with no high school diploma is at the U.S. average and this percentage has grown since 2000. Wyoming has less older adults (age 25-64) with no high school diploma and is a top state in this regard. • Wyoming is a top state in the percentage of adults earning less than a living wage with a high school diploma or less with 10.6%. • The educational gaps between whites and minorities for high school and college attainment are better than the U.S. average. Wyoming is a top state in the educational gaps for high school attainment. Wyoming 2010 United States Top 5 States High School Diploma or Less in Families not Earning a Living Wage – Age 18 to 64 (%) Wyoming 2000 Wyoming 2010 United States Top 5 States

2. Prepared by the National Center forHigher Education Management Systems With Support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 2010 Wyoming Profile of Adult Learning Reaching the Target Population Enrollment per 1,000 Adults Age 18-64: College Participation of Adults Age 25-49 as a Percent of Population Age 25-49 with Only a High School Diploma In State-Administered ABE Programs with Less than a High School Diploma Wyoming 2001 Wyoming 2000 Wyoming 2009 Wyoming 2010 United States United States Top 5 States Top 5 States In English as a Second Language (ESL) with Little or No English Proficiency • Adult enrollment in educational programs – including state-administered ABE and ESL programs – is greater than the U.S. average and has grown since 2000. • GEDs awarded in Wyoming per 1,000 adults is greater than the national average. • The overall college participation rate of adults 25-49 is slightly less than the U.S. average and has declined since 2001. Wyoming 2000 Wyoming 2010 United States Top 5 States GEDs Awarded per 1,000 Adults with Less than a High School Diploma (Age 18 to 24) Wyoming 2000 Wyoming 2010 United States Top 5 States The Benefits of More Education Workforce Participation (%) Education Median Annual Earnings (Age 18 to 64) Less than High School • Adults with higher levels of education are more likely to participate in the workforce than adults with less than a college degree. • Additionally, those with a college degree earn substantially more money annually compared to those with less than a college degree. High School Some College Associates Degree Bachelor’s Degree Graduate/Prof. Degree Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey – Public Use Microdata Files, 2000, 2010 Office of Vocational and Adult Education NCES, IPEDS Fall 2000 and 2010 Enrollment Files General Education Development (GED) Testing Service, 2001, 2010