A federal initiative to expand learning services to adult basic learners via distance learning is proposed. The California experience can prove useful to states and programs wishing to adopt distance learning interventions. This article describes how California adult schools' serve adult learners via distance learning. Over 38,000 unduplicated learners participated in the 2001-2002 program year. The legislation, the initiative, popular distance learning approaches, participant demographics, research issues, and next steps are addressed. Research showing positive learning gains and other outcomes is reviewed. (Contains 6 endnotes, 4 tables, and 1 figure.)