This report outlines a series of findings and recommendations that illustrate both educational and economic implications for the state and its local communities. The Superintendent's Panel on Excellence in Adult Education recommends a 95% increase in the state's support of adult education and a 70% increase in local support. There are significant challenges that necessitate such a substantial increase in investment. Maryland consistently ranks in the top two nationally for the number of adults with a college degree and is a national leader in school reform for K-12 education. The state also has close to one million Marylanders who need adult education services. Maryland adult literacy needs in the state are estimated to include 927,264 out of school youth and adults without a high school diploma and individuals who have English language needs. This is more than 20% of the state population. To identify the scope of the issue, the Panel reviewed data from several sources. According to the National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS), twenty percent of Maryland adults function at the lowest literacy level. This ranges from ten percent of the population in Carroll and Frederick counties to thirty-eight percent in Baltimore City. The 2000 Census identified over 600,000 Marylanders, over the age of 18, without a high school diploma. The Panel's recommendations fall under one broad goal: to increase access for more Marylanders to evidence-based, high quality adult education services. Specific recommendations include: (1) Consolidating three existing state funding streams for adult education within the Maryland State Department of Education; and (2) Encouraging workplace education partnerships with businesses, including incentives.