ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-sixth Legislature First Regular Session
	Senate: ED DPA/SE 7-0-0-0 | 3rd Read 25-5-0-0

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SB 1400: technical correction; child hearing programs

NOW: community colleges; noncredit workforce training

Sponsor: Senator Wadsack, LD 17

Committee on Education

Overview

Adds noncredit workforce training full-time equivalent student enrollment (FTSE) in the calculation of a community college district's (CCD's) state aid and expenditure limitation.

History

There are two sets of criteria a CCD course may meet to be offered for credit. The first set of statutory criteria require the course to: 1) qualify students for a certificate or degree; 2) transfer to a college or university; 3) provide (or improve) a student's skills for employment or college course; or 4) provide continuing education and lifelong learning.

Alternatively, the second set of criteria stipulate a course may be offered for credit if it: 1) has a formal course outline; 2) evaluates students based on mastery of course objectives; 3) requires faculty teaching the course to meet CCD standards; 4) bases credits on the effort required of, and the competencies gained by, the students; 5) requires students to achieve prerequisite competencies; 6) is developed using the CCD's formal curriculum review process; 7) has an evaluation component; and 8) meets other CCD requirements. Currently, noncredit courses are courses that do not meet any of these statutory criteria. The financial responsibility of these courses is with the CCD (A.R.S. § 15-1410).

There are statutory formulas that annually determine a CCD's operating state aid and science, technology, engineering and mathematics and workforce programs state aid based on changes in the CCD's FTSE (A.R.S. §§ 15-1464, 15-1466). When determining these state aid amounts, statute requires the CCD's FTSE to be calculated according to a statutory formula that includes the total basic actual, additional short-term and open-entry, open exit and skill center FTSE counts (A.R.S. § 15-1466.01).

The state Constitution subjects each CCD to an annual expenditure limitation that is calculated based on FY 1980 CCD expenditures, adjusted for FTSE and inflation (Ariz. Const. art. 9, sec. 21). Currently, a CCD's FTSE is calculated, for the purposes of determining the CCD's expenditure limitation, according to the total of basic actual, additional short-term and open entry, open exit and skill center FTSE counts.

The Auditor General (OAG) must annually audit the FTSE reported by each CCD for all basic actual, additional short-term and open entry, open exit classes and skill center and adult basic education courses (A.R.S. § 15-1466.01).

Provisions

1. Adds noncredit workforce training FTSE in the calculation of a CCD's state aid and expenditure limitation. (Sec. 1)

2. Determines noncredit workforce training FTSE by dividing the total class attended clock hours or contact hours of individuals who complete vocational training by 640. (Sec. 2)

3. Requires the OAG to audit noncredit workforce training courses FTSE. (Sec. 2)

4. Assigns financial responsibility for courses that do not meet the criteria to be offered as a course for credit or as a noncredit workforce training or career technical education (CTE) course that meets prescribed requirements to a CCD. (Sec. 1)

5. Mandates a noncredit workforce training or CTE course that meets the criteria required for a course that is offered for credit and that is offered for contact hours instead of credit hours be:

a) consistent with the Carl D. Perkins CTE Improvement Act of 2006, as amended by the Strengthening CTE for the 21st Century Act;

b) included on the eligible training provider list maintained pursuant to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; or

c) requested by a business or industry. (Sec. 1)

6. Specifies, in the criteria for a course offered for credit, that the course must base the credit hours or contact hours, rather than only credits, awarded for course completion on the effort required of, and the competencies gained by, the students. (Sec. 1)

7. Defines noncredit workforce training as a noncredit workforce training or CTE course that meets statutory requirements. (Sec. 2)

8. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1, 2)

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                        SB 1400

Initials CH       Page 0 Education

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