BILL #    HB 2373

TITLE:     instructional time model; posting requirement (NOW: adult education)

SPONSOR:    Diaz

STATUS:   As Amended by Senate ED

PREPARED BY:    Gordon Robertson

 

 

 

Description

 

The bill would expand Community College Adult Education Workforce Development Programs to allow community colleges with adult education programs (program schools) to receive funding for adult learners that already have a high school diploma if the students meet certain federal guidelines. The bill would expand adult education programs to include community college certificates and modify the types of programming required to conform to federal definitions.

 

Estimated Impact

 

We estimate that the bill does not have a direct state cost. The workforce development program is not governed by a statutory funding formula. The Arizona Department of Education receives $6.0 million in ongoing funding for community college adult education that is not linked to the number of participants.

 

Analysis

 

Statute allows each program school to receive per-pupil funding of up to $3,000 per pupil. In FY 2023, ADE paid program schools a total of $768,800 from the fund, equivalent to funding for 256.3 adult learners.

 

We estimate that the inclusion of adult learners that already have a high school diploma may increase total adult education enrollment in program schools. In the event that the cost of total community college adult education enrollment exceeds $6.0 million, ADE must distribute awards proportionally by enrollment. However, because per-pupil funding would be reduced proportionally should the total cost of community college adult education exceed $6.0 million, we estimate that the bill will not generate a state cost.

 

Local Government Impact

 

The bill would modify the type of training and support services offered by community college adult education programs. To the extent that these modifications would require program schools to modify curriculum, local community colleges may incur additional operational costs.

 

3/7/24