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EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT: BASIC / FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS INSTRUCTION Description of the component. Provide a summary of the activities and services. Designed to provide structured academic instruction and educational services below the postsecondary level that support progress toward employment and self-sufficiency. This component includes Adult Basic Education (ABE), adult secondary education, English as a Second Language (ESL), basic literacy instruction, and high school equivalency preparation such as GED or HiSET. Instruction is focused on improving an individual’s ability to read, write, and speak in English, perform mathematics, and develop other essential skills necessary to attain a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, transition to postsecondary education or occupational training, and obtain employment. Participation in this component must reflect a sustained level of effort, with instructional hours not to exceed 120 per month unless the participant voluntarily chooses to engage in additional hours. Consistent with 7 CFR 273.7(c)(17), instruction must be delivered by qualified providers with the demonstrated capacity to offer literacy and numeracy services and must be designed to increase employability, educational attainment, and workforce readiness Indicate the Target Population this component will serve. Select all that apply. ABAWDs Homeless Returning citizens (aka: ex-offenders) Single parents Students Those that reside in rural areas Underemployed Veterans Describe the criteria for participation. Include the skills, knowledge, or experience necessary for participation in the component. For example, literacy or numeracy levels, recent labor market attachment, computer literacy, etc. The individual must be at least 16 years old and did not obtain a high school diploma or its equivalency and be interested and willing to participate in gaining employment and training skills. Must be willing to participate in test preparation or instruction, take the practice test to qualify for the HiSET exam, and take the HiSET exam. The program is self-paced, allowing participants one year to complete their studies. The subject areas provided to participants include: Language Arts – Reading Content: Evaluates the ability to understand, interpret, and analyze literary and informational texts. 1/29/26, 8:19 AM State Plan LA FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-lafy26stateplan//index.html 59/115