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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFifty-fifth Legislature First Regular Session |
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HB 2824: adult education; grant program; appropriations
Sponsor: Representative Schwiebert, LD 20
Committee on Appropriations
Overview
Establishes the Adult Education Community College Coenrollment Grant Program (Program) and the Adult Education Community College Coenrollment Fund (Fund).
History
The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) maintains a division of adult education that is under the jurisdiction of the State Board of Education (SBE) (A.R.S § 15-232). The division, Adult Education Services, provides comprehensive services to students 16 years old or older who are not enrolled in a K-12 school. Adult Education Services offers educational programs to assist students in earning a high school equivalency diploma, connecting to employment and job training opportunities, transitioning to postsecondary education and becoming proficient in English.
Any appropriation made to SBE or ADE for adult education may be expended for adult education costs. An adult education provider offering a course of study for adult education is eligible for funding from SBE if the district or county offering such courses meet all applicable SBE standards. An adult education provider may also charge supplemental fees to adults participating in the program (A.R.S. § 15-234).
Statute defines an adult education provider to mean a school district, community college district, correctional facility, community-based organization, an institution serving educationally disadvantaged adults or any other institution that receives public funds to provide adult education services (A.R.S § 15-234).
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) helps job seekers access employment, education, training and support services. Under the WIOA, eligible training providers include institutions of higher education that provide a program that leads to a recognized postsecondary credentials, apprenticeship programs, public or private providers that provide training and providers of adult education and literacy activities.
Provisions
1. Directs ADE to establish the Program that:
a) Provides adult learners pursuing a high school equivalency diploma with enhanced study services and;
b) Leads to the issuance of both a high school diploma and a community college-offered, industry-recognized credential or degree. (Sec. 1)
2. Requires an eligible grant applicant to be a recognized high school equivalency program provider through ADE as part of the WIOA. (Sec. 1)
3. Instructs ADE to establish application criteria for the Program. (Sec. 1)
4. Establishes the Fund that is administered by ADE and that consists of legislative appropriations. (Sec. 1)
5. Exempts Fund monies from lapsing. (Sec. 1)
6. Permits ADE to accept and spend federal monies, private grants, gifts, contributions and devises. (Sec. 1)
7. Allows ADE to retain up to 5% of monies received each fiscal year for Program administrative costs. (Sec. 1)
8. Mandates ADE use Fund monies to award grants to high school equivalency program providers. (Sec. 1)
9. Requires grant recipients to use Program monies to award scholarships to eligible adult students for free or reduced costs to participate in community college-offered, industry-recognized credential or degree, based on ADE criteria. (Sec. 1)
10. Allows a portion of monies to be used for additional supports to ensure the success of adult learners in the Program. (Sec. 1)
11. Requires ADE, for each year that monies are appropriated to the Fund and by June 30, to submit a Program report to the Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (Sec. 1)
12. Terminates the Program on July 1, 2031. (Sec. 1)
13. Appropriates $3,500,000 from the state General Fund (GF) in FY 2022 to the Fund. (Sec. 2)
14. Appropriates $1,500,000 from the state GF in FY 2022 to ADE to expand and increase the capacity of adult education programs and services. (Sec. 2)
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HB 2824
Initials CH/AN Page 0 Appropriations
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