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The Appalachian Learning Initiative (APPLI, like "apply") is bringing attention to the recently released "Skinny Budget," released by the Office of Management and Budget on May 2nd, 2025, which proposes cutting $729 million in Adult Education funding from the federal budget. This proposal would result in the total elimination of all funding for adult education allocated under the U.S. Department of Education through the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), Title

As of the most recent data release, more than 3 out of every 5 adults aged 16-65 (60.9%) living in Maryland's Appalachian counties read at or below an 8th-grade level. In addition to reading proficiency issues, nearly 3 out of every 4 adults (72.3%) struggle with basic math.

As of the most recent data release, nearly 3 out of every 4 adults aged 16-65 living in Kentucky's Appalachian counties read at or below an 8th Grade level. In addition to reading proficiency issues, nearly 4 out of every 5 adults struggle with basic math. Kentucky's Appalachian counties tend to have significantly higher incidence and prevalence rates of both infectious and non-infectious diseases and health behaviors, and face substantial barriers to health and learning.

As of the most recent data release, more than 3 out of every 5 adults aged 16-65 living in Georgia's Appalachian counties read at or below an 8th Grade level. In addition to reading proficiency issues, nearly 3 out of every 4 adults struggle with basic math. Georgia's Appalachian counties tend to have significantly higher incidence and prevalence rates of both infectious and non-infectious diseases and health behaviors, and face substantial barriers to health and learning.

The Appalachian Learning Initiative has launched the first iteration of its latest tool: The Appalachian Advocacy Toolkit

Nearly 2 out of every 3 adults living in Alabama's Appalachian counties read at or below an 8th Grade level

Big changes are coming to APPLI in 2025, so I wanted to take some time to provide an update on some items past and what we have in store.

APPLI has been highlighting the adult literacy, numeracy, public health, and socioeconomic struggles in Appalachian Tennessee.

Just 7 of South Carolina's 46 counties lie within the Appalachian Region.

Is it time that we stop pretending that the FPL is any kind of real measure of poverty, or does it need to be reexamined?

This year we began examining federal funding for adult education through various funding mechanisms. The United States has a funding problem

2024 is well underway, so I wanted to provide some insight into what the Appalachian Learning Initiative has planned for the year.

In 2022, out of 81 countries that participated in PISA evaluations, American students scored 26th in mathematics skills.

In honor of #ZeroHIVStigmaDay, the Appalachian Learning Initiative is highlighting HIV in the Appalachian Region.

The Appalachian Learning Initiative kicks off #Pride2023 with its second annual Pride Reading List.

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month, and the Appalachian Learning Initiative is highlighting the impact of Viral Hepatitis in Appalachia.

APPLI is celebrating Women's History Month by highlighting the lives of the Wonderful Women From Appalachia.

The Appalachian Learning Initiative has begun rolling out the latest feature on our website: county-level adult education resources.

Counties in the Central Appalachian Region, including those in KY, TN, VA, and WV still face high rates of COVID-19

This Black History Month, APPLI will be featuring works by and about Black Appalachians.