Arizona 2024 2024 Regular Session

Arizona House Bill HB2373 Comm Sub / Analysis

Filed 03/14/2024

                    REVISED 
ARIZONA STATE SENATE 
RESEARCH STAFF 
 
 
TO: MEMBERS OF THE SENATE 
 EDUCATION COMMITTEE 
DATE: March 14, 2024 
SUBJECT: Strike everything amendment to H.B. 2373, relating to instructional time model; 
posting requirement 
 
Purpose 
Allows a Community College Adult Education Workforce Development Program 
(Program) school to receive Community College Adult Education Workforce Development 
Program Fund (Fund) monies for each adult learner who meets specified requirements. Expands 
the Program's additional study and support services requirements and modifies permissible uses 
for Fund monies. 
Background 
The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) administers the Program to provide adult 
learners with integrated education and training programs and additional study and support services 
that lead to the issuance of high school diplomas and industry-recognized credentials or 
community college degrees. Arizona community college districts that provide such programs and 
services may participate in the Program. A Program school may receive up to $3,000 per full-time 
student for each fiscal year, with part-time students being funded in proportion to the number of 
enrolled courses or hours of instruction. ADE must distribute Fund monies to all eligible Program 
schools in a proportional manner based on the number of adult learners served by each Program 
school. A Program school must use Fund monies: 1) to supplement and not supplant current 
Program offerings; and 2) for adult learners to participate in a high school diploma or equivalency 
diploma program that also offers an industry-recognized credential or community college degree 
(A.R.S. § 15-217.03). 
The federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act provides workforce investment 
activities, through statewide and local workforce development systems, to increase the 
employment, retention, earnings and attainment of recognized postsecondary credentials by 
participants. Adult education means academic instruction and education services below the 
postsecondary level that increase an individual's ability to: 1) read, write and speak in English and 
perform mathematics or other activities for the attainment of a high school diploma; 2) transition 
to postsecondary education and training; and 3) obtain employment. Adult education and literacy 
activities means programs, activities and services that include: 1) adult education; 2) literacy;  
3) workplace adult education and literacy activities; 4) family literacy activities; 5) integrated 
English literacy and civics education; 6) workforce preparation activities; or 7) integrated 
education and training. Integrated education and training means a service approach that provides 
adult education and literacy activities concurrently and contextually with workforce preparation 
activities and workforce training for a specific occupation for the purpose of educational and career 
advancement (29 U.S.C. §§ 3101 and 3272). 
LAUREN BRAZELE 
LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH INTERN 
 
MASON HOLLER 
LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH ANALYST 
EDUCATION COMMITTEE 
Telephone: (602) 926-3171  STRIKER MEMO 
H.B. 2373 
Page 2 
 
 
 The Joint Legislative Budget Committee fiscal note estimates that there would not be a 
direct impact to the state General Fund as the Program is not governed by a statutory funding 
formula  (JLBC fiscal note). 
Provisions 
1. Allows a Program school to receive Fund monies for each adult learner who is a student in the 
Program, regardless of whether the adult learner has a high school diploma or an equivalency 
diploma, if the adult learner; 
a) enrolls in a Program school; 
b) participates in integrated education and training; and 
c) pursues academic skills development related to adult education and literacy activities. 
2. Expands the Program's additional study and support services requirements by including: 
a) academic instruction that is aligned with adult education and literacy activities, including 
instruction that leads to the issuance of a high school diploma or equivalency diploma; and 
b) an industry-recognized credential, community college certificate or community college 
degree, rather than an industry-recognized credential or community college degree. 
3. Specifies that a Program school must use Fund monies: 
a) to enhance or expand existing adult education programs and services, rather than to 
supplement and not supplant current Program offerings; and 
b) for adult learners to participate in an adult education program, rather than a high school 
diploma or equivalency diploma program, that offers academic instruction and  
industry-recognized credential, a community college certificate or a community college 
degree, rather than offers an industry-recognized credential or a community college degree. 
4. Adds, to the Program annual report, a requirement to include the number of community college 
certificates earned by adult learners enrolled in a Program school. 
5. Makes technical and conforming changes. 
6. Becomes effective on the general effective date. 
Revisions 
• Updates the fiscal impact statement.