​In 1990, Barbara Bush's presence in the White House helped draw attention on a national scale to the need for major literacy efforts, especially in the family. ABE centers began to respond by emphasizing the family unit mare than they had previously. Critical Issues Forums were held at the 1991 fall conference and the 1992 spring conference.

At that time the membership of KAEA brainstormed and prioritized issues facing KAEA. Those identified fell into five categories: legislation, fiscal, curriculum/assessment, public relations, and professionalism. Committees were appointed to research these areas.

KAEA's endeavors of training Adult Educators has helped instructors enhance their knowledge to give students the basic skills they need to successfully carry out their roles as learners, parents, productive citizens, and economically self-sufficient workers in the 21st Century.

Through the Accelerating Opportunities for Kansas initiative that started in 2011, students will continue to have the opportunity to acquire stronger reading, writing, and math skills, as well as enrollment opportunities in career pathways  that lead to viable post-secondary education.