BILL NUMBER: SB 174INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Liu FEBRUARY 5, 2013 An act to amend Section 41976 of the Education Code, relating to adult education. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 174, as introduced, Liu. Adult education: apportionments. Existing law establishes a system of public elementary and secondary schools in this state, and provides for their funding through, among other types of funding, the apportionment of state funds to local educational agencies in accordance with prescribed criteria. Existing law authorizes school districts and county superintendents of schools to provide specified adult education classes and courses that qualify for the apportionment of state funds from the Adult Education Fund. This bill would recast and revise the list of classes and courses that qualify for this funding, and would specify that this funding could be claimed by high school districts, unified school districts, and county offices of education. The bill would include courses of preparation for the California High School Exit Examination and the General Education Development (GED) test among the courses qualifying for the apportionment of state funds. The bill would authorize the charging of a fee for adult educations courses when apportionment of state funds does not cover the cost of providing the course. The bill would prohibit the apportionment of state funds for adult education courses unless they are approved by the governing board of the local educational agency and receive annual approval from the State Department of Education. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 41976 of the Education Code is amended to read: 41976. (a) For purposes of this chapter,the following classes and courses are authorized to be offered by school districts and county superintendents of schools for apportionment purposes from the adult education fundadult academic, workforce preparation, and civic engagement programs are authorized to be offered by high school districts, unified school districts, and county offices of education to claim apportionments from the Adult Education Fund, except as provided in subdivision (b). The primary focus of adult education is to provide for dropout recovery and support the transition of adult students to postsecondary education, training, and into the workforce. Adult education programs shall include all of the following : (1) Adultprograms in parenting, including parent cooperative preschools, and classes in child growth and development, parent-child relationships, and parentingbasic and secondary academic programs, including elementary basic skills and secondary courses required for the high school diploma, pursuant to Section 51225.3, and dropout recovery. Courses under this section may include preparation for the California High School Exit Examination, the General Education Development (GED) test , or any high school diploma certification as approved by the department .(2) Adult programs in elementary and secondary basic skills and other courses and classes required for the high school diploma. Apportionments for these courses and classes may only be generated by students who do not possess a high school diploma, except for remedial academic courses or classes in reading, mathematics, and language arts.(3) Adult education programs in English as a second language.(4) Adult education programs for immigrants eligible for educational services in citizenship, English as a second language, and workforce preparation classes in the basic skills of speaking, listening, reading, writing, mathematics, decisionmaking and problem solving skills, and other classes required for preparation to participate in job specific technical training.(5) Adult education programs for adults with disabilities.(6) Adult short-term career technical education programs with high employment potential. Any reference to "vocational" education or programs in adult education means "career technical" education or programs in adult education.(7) Adult programs for older adults.(8) Adult education programs for apprentices.(9) Adult programs in home economics.(10) Adult programs in health and safety education.(2) Education programs in English as a second language and citizenship preparation, including programs for immigrants eligible for educational services in citizenship, civic participation, and workforce preparation. These courses include the English literacy skills of speaking, listening, reading, writing, mathematics, decisionmaking, and problem solving skills, and other classes required for preparation to participate in job specific career and technical training. (3) Career technical education, including programs promoting a skilled workforce with high-growth and high-wage employment potential, leading to industry certifications, or that meet the required prerequisites and foundations for advanced postsecondary programs. These courses, developed within designated career sectors, shall incorporate academic, career preparation, and job readiness skills with possible apprenticeships or internships. (4) Civic engagement programs, including specialized courses focusing on any of the following: issues of aging; assisting disabled adults to become self-reliant, productive, and effective community members; parenting and family literacy; health and financial literacy; and civic participation skills. (b) Only the program curriculum incorporated within the programs described in paragraphs (1) to (3), inclusive, of subdivision (a) may be funded from an apportionment from the Adult Education Fund. (c) If an adult education course is not eligible for funding from an apportionment from the Adult Education Fund, or if such an apportionment does not cover the entire cost of providing the course, a fee may be charged to cover this cost.(b)( d) No state apportionment for adult education courses or classes developed within programs shall be made for any course or classwhichthat is not set forth in subdivision (a). Further, no state apportionment shall be made for purposes of this section without the ap proval of the governing board of the local educational agency offering the course and the annual approval of the department.