Vermont Adult Learning is a private, non-profit corporation with a public mission. We provide adult education and literacy services to Vermonters 16 and older who are not enrolled in school. Almost all these services are free.

Vermonters can find most of these services at the 10 Learning Works Centers. Vermont Adult Learning is responsible for all 10 Learning Works Centers and operates 6 of them.

We also offer work readiness programs, including computer instruction. Work readiness and literacy skill programs can be designed to fit employers' needs. To connect with a Vermont Adult Learning staff member about a program for your workplace, click here.

Our Mission is to provide adults with essential skills education to further their educational, employment and personal goals in order to expand their options and capabilities in the family, community and workplace.

Our Vision is that all Vermonters are literate and have the skills to successfully participate in family, community and workplace. At Vermont Adult Learning, individuals transform their lives through the integration of education, life and workplace skills. Vermont Adult Learning is a recognized, essential partner in an integrated educational system assuring that every Vermonter has access to opportunities for advancement.

The inherent worth of each individual is valued. Respect for self and others is the basis for relationships among all VAL staff, partners and participants.

VAL supports individuals to make informed choices about learning priorities and plans based on life circumstances and personal goals.

VAL provides opportunities for learners and staff to continually increase their skills and knowledge.

VAL is dedicated to building a learning community that educates, advocates, and collaborates' to create a better world.

VAL is committed to ongoing evaluation, professional development, and program improvement.

1991 - The Vermont Department of Education (DOE) decides to stop direct provision of adult basic education (ABE) services and to contract for these services. Seven existing county ABE programs in Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle, Rutland, Windham, and Windsor Counties join together with the Vermont Institute for Self-Reliance (VISR) to create one organization. This new organization contracts with DOE to provide services in the seven counties. At that time, VISR already had twenty years of experience in providing adult basic education through distance learning. VISR's work in offering literacy services using correspondence packets, newspaper courses, and interactive television and video courses continued to inform Vermont's adult basic education practices as regional centers rather than kitchen tables became the primary access point for learning opportunities.

1995 - The VISR organization changes its name to "Vermont Adult Learning" (VAL) in order to be clear to the public about its primary work. VAL starts to build a strong infrastructure of statewide services supporting its six regional centers serving the seven counties. VAL develops a system for identifying and sharing effective instructional practices; implements sophisticated information systems including data related to students, personnel and costs; centralizes fiscal payment and reporting; adopts 21st century personnel policies; and organizes annual planning procedures related to performance targets.

2004 - Vermont Adult Learning is granted the Department of Education's competition for a statewide contract to provide all adult education and literacy services for 5 years through 10 regional centers. Policies, procedures and services are to be consistent throughout the state. Vermont Adult Learning subcontracts with the Tutorial Center to operate a regional center in Bennington, with Central Vermont ABE to operate a regional center in Barre, and with Northeast Kingdom Learning Services to operate regional centers in Newport and St. Johnsbury. Learning Works is adopted as the name for the system of 10 regional centers for which Vermont Adult Learning is responsible.