HB 2658
Initials CH Page 1 House Engrossed
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-fifth Legislature
Second Regular Session
House: ED DPA 8-2-0-0
HB 2658: community colleges; adult education
Sponsor: Representative Kaiser, LD 15
House Engrossed
Overview
Creates the Community College Adult Education Workforce Development Program (Program) to
provide adult learners with supports that lead to a high school diploma, or equivalent, and an
industry-recognized credential or community college degree.
History
Statute requires that every child between the ages of 6 and 16 attend a school and be provided
instruction in the subjects of reading, grammar, math, social studies and science. Furthermore,
public schools are required to admit individuals who are between the ages of 6 and 21 (A.R.S. §§
15-802, 15-821).
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 who are at least 16 years old
and 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.
Provisions
1. Establishes the Program within SBE, to be operated in cooperation with ADE, to provide adult
learners with integrated education and training programs and additional study and support
services that lead to:
a) A high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma; and
b) An industry-recognized credential or community college degree. (Sec. 1)
2. Requires a Program applicant to be a regionally accredited community college that is a
recognized high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma provider and that provides
education and workforce training that leads to industry-recognized credentials or community
college degrees. (Sec. 1)
3. Creates the Program Fund that consists of legislative appropriations and that is administered
by ADE. (Sec. 1)
4. States that Program Fund monies are continuously appropriated and exempt from lapsing.
(Sec. 1)
5. Requires SBE, in consultation with ADE and by July 1, 2024, to adopt an adult education and
workforce performance funding model (funding model). (Sec. 1)
6. Outlines funding for a Program school as follows:
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note HB 2658
Initials CH Page 2 House Engrossed
a) For FYs 2023 and 2024, up to $3,000 per full-time student and a proportionate amount for
part-time students; and
b) For FY 2025 and thereafter, funding is determined pursuant to the funding model, subject
to legislative appropriation. (Sec. 1)
7. Outlines requirements SBE must follow when determining a Program school's funding
according to the funding model. (Sec. 1)
8. Instructs ADE to distribute Program Fund monies to all Program schools that meet the
specified criteria in a proportional manner based on the number of adult learners each
Program school serves. (Sec. 1)
9. Allows ADE to retain up to 5% of Program Fund monies each fiscal year for administrative
costs. (Sec. 1)
10. Mandates a Program school use monies for adult learners to participate in a high school
diploma or high school equivalency diploma program that also offers an industry-recognized
credential or community college degree. (Sec. 1)
11. Permits a portion of monies to be used for additional support services to ensure the success
of adult learners in the Program. (Sec. 1)
12. Requires, by September 30 of each year that monies are appropriated to the Program Fund,
each Program school to submit a report regarding the Program to specified entities. (Sec. 1)
13. Outlines the information the annual report must contain. (Sec. 1)
14. Allows SBE, in cooperation with ADE, to request information from any Program applicant or
school to determine Program eligibility and funding distributions. (Sec. 1)
15. Directs SBE, in cooperation with ADE and by July 1, 2024, to adopt performance expectations
to evaluate Program schools. (Sec. 1)
16. Details the measurements the performance expectations are to include. (Sec. 1)
17. Permits SBE, in cooperation with ADE, to develop a process to bring a Program school into
compliance or revoke the Program school's authorization to participate in the Program. (Sec.
1)