California Assembly Bill AB1181 Latest Draft

 BILL NUMBER: AB 1181AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 26, 2015 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Calderon FEBRUARY 27, 2015 An act  to amend Sections 52300 and 52500 of the Education Code,  relating to  adult education programs.   career technical education   .  LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1181, as amended, Calderon.  Adult education programs: qualification: federal Pell Grant Program.   Career technical education.   (1) Existing law provides that the Legislature declares that a regional occupational center will serve the state and national interests in providing career technical and technical education to students, including, but not limited to, high school students.   This bill would instead provide that the Legislature declares that the regional occupational center will serve the state and national interests in providing secondary and postsecondary career technical and technical education to those pupils.   (2) Existing law requires adult schools and evening high schools to consist of classes for adults, and authorizes minors to be admitted into those classes pursuant to policy adopted by the governing board of the school district and if those minors meet certain eligibility requirements.   This bill would authorize those classes to include postsecondary career technical education programs.   Existing law authorizes the governing board of a school district maintaining secondary schools to establish and maintain classes for adults, as specified.   This bill would express the Legislature's intent to enact legislation that would, to the extent feasible, qualify adult education programs operated by local educational agencies to participate in the federal Pell Grant Program under Title IV of the federal Higher Education Act of 1965 so that students enrolled in those programs may qualify to receive federal Pell Grant Program awards for short-term career technical education programs.  Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no   yes  . State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:  SECTION 1.   Section 52300 of the   Education Code   is amended to read:  52300.  (a)    In enacting this article, it is the intent of the Legislature to provide qualified  students   pupils  with the opportunity to attend a technical school or enroll in a career technical or technical training program, regardless of the geographical location of their residence in a county or region. The Legislature hereby declares that a regional occupational center will serve the state and national interests in providing  secondary and postsecondary  career technical and technical education to prepare  students   pupils  for an increasingly technological society in which generalized training and skills are insufficient to prepare high school  students   pupils  and graduates, and out-of-school youth and adults for the many employment opportunities  which   that  require special or technical training and skills. The Legislature also declares that regional occupational centers will enable a broader curriculum in technical subjects to be offered, and will avoid unnecessary duplication of courses and expensive training equipment, and will provide a flexibility in operation  which   that  will facilitate rapid program adjustments and meeting changing training needs as they arise.  It   (b)     It  is recognized by the Legislature that career technical programs may achieve great flexibility of planning,  scope   scope,  and operation by the conduct of these programs in a variety of physical facilities at various training locations.  It   (c)     It  is the further intent of the Legislature that regional occupational centers and programs provide career technical and occupational instruction related to the attainment of skills so that trainees are prepared for gainful employment in the area for which training was provided, or are upgraded so they have the higher level skills required because of new and changing technologies or so that they are prepared for enrollment in more advanced training programs. SEC. 2.   Section 52500 of the   Education Code   is amended to read: 52500. Adult schools and evening high schools shall consist of classes for  adults.   adults, and may include postsecondary career technical education programs.  Minors may be admitted to those classes pursuant to board policy and Section 52500.1.      SECTION 1.   It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would, to the extent feasible, qualify adult education programs operated by local educational agencies to participate in the federal Pell Grant Program under Title IV of the federal Higher Education Act of 1965 so that students enrolled in those programs may qualify to receive federal Pell Grant Program awards for short-term career technical education programs.