The Continuing Education account is funded through the federal Adult Education and Family Literacy Act. The purpose of the act is to provide adult basic education (ABE) and English as a Second Language (ESL) services in order to assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency; to assist adults in the completion of secondary school education; and to assist adults who are parents to obtain the educational skills necessary to become full partners in the education of their children. Funds are granted to eligible educational and community-based organizations on a competitive basis to carry out the purpose of the act. Students enrolled in the programs must be over 16 years of age, must not have a high school diploma or its equivalent, and must be withdrawn from high school and not required to be in a school. A federally required 25% match is partially met by state funding for instruction; the local instructional programs contribute the balance of the match. Authority: P.L. 105-220. Workforce Investment Act, Title II, Adult Education and Family Literacy Act; NRS 387.1233.