Enacting the Kansas adult learner grant act to establish a grant program for adult learners to pursue certain fields of study, enacting the career technical education credential and transition incentive for employment success act to require school districts to pay for the cost of assessments for students to obtain an approved career technical education credential, designating military veterans and spouses or dependents of such veterans who were stationed in Kansas for at least 11 months as residents for purposes of tuition and fees at postsecondary educational institutions and expanding the eligible fields of study under the Kansas promise scholarship act.
Impact
If enacted, SB123 would solidify the structure for the Kansas adult learner grant program, thereby fundamentally altering the landscape of adult education funding in the state. The grant program is restricted to residents over the age of 25 with specific household income limitations, aimed at qualifying those most in need. Additionally, it expands upon the Kansas promise scholarship program, potentially increasing both access and retention rates of adult learners in high-demand industries. Importantly, the legislation acknowledges military veterans, allowing spouses and dependents stationed in Kansas for a specified duration to access in-state tuition rates, thereby enhancing educational accessibility for those who have served.
Summary
Senate Bill 123 introduces the Kansas adult learner grant act aimed at facilitating education funding for adult learners wishing to pursue targeted fields such as information technology, healthcare, and engineering. The bill establishes a grant program whereby eligible adult learners can receive up to $3,000 per semester, providing financial assistance with tuition and necessary materials. The proposal emphasizes the importance of improving workforce retention in critical job areas by addressing educational financial barriers for adults returning to school. The legislation also includes provisions for income tax credits to incentivize retention in Kansas post-graduation.
Sentiment
General sentiment surrounding SB123 appears to be positive, especially among educators and proponents of adult education, who argue that the bill will invigorate the state's workforce and foster economic growth. Detractors, however, raise concerns regarding the efficacy of the bill in addressing broader systemic issues within the education system, including the potential pitfalls of underfunding or administrative hurdles in grant distribution. The controversy indicates a divide between support for adult education initiatives and skepticism about their implementation.
Contention
A notable point of contention in the funding structure is the finite allocation of only $1 million annually for the adult learner grants. Critics suggest that this amount may be insufficient to meet the needs of potential applicants, especially in a state where demand for skilled labor consistently exceeds supply. Furthermore, there are concerns about the potential bureaucratic challenges faced by applicants navigating the eligibility and approval processes outlined in the bill, which some fear could undermine the program's intended benefits.
Expanding the eligible fields of study and establishing a maximum scholarship amount for certain private postsecondary educational institutions in the Kansas promise scholarship act.
Enacting the Kansas adult learner grant act to facilitate workforce development by providing grants and workforce retention incentive tax credits to adults who pursue baccalaureate degrees from eligible postsecondary educational institutions in certain fields of study.
Providing reimbursement payments for the cost of career technical education assessments to school districts under the career technical education credential and transition incentive for employment success act.
Removing the Kansas residency requirement for eligibility for a Kansas promise scholarship and modifying the definition of part-time student under such program.
Expanding the postsecondary educational institutions eligible to participate in the Kansas promise scholarship program and increasing the maximum annual appropriation limit.
Establishing the Kansas blueprint for literacy and a literacy advisory committee, directing the board of regents to appoint a director of literacy education, requiring the board of regents and board of education to collaborate on a literacy micro-credential, providing university presidents and deans of education oversight over postsecondary literacy courses, requiring a plan to establish centers of excellence in reading, requiring the board of education to submit annual reports to the legislature on literacy goals; establishing the Kansas education opportunity scholarship to replace the Kansas ethnic minority scholarship, removing limits on Kansas nursing service scholarship awards and modifying the interest rate terms and repayment obligations for such awards, eliminating the requirement to subtract other aid from the state payment for the AO-K program, modifying financial limitations on Kansas hero's scholarship awards and broadening eligibility requirements for such awards.
Expanding the eligible fields of study and establishing a maximum scholarship amount for certain private postsecondary educational institutions in the Kansas promise scholarship act.
Establishing the Kansas trade service scholarship act and making appropriations to the state board of regents for fiscal year 2025 to provide grants to community colleges, technical colleges and the Washburn institute of technology for capital improvements, repairs and maintenance of trade program buildings.
Removing the Kansas residency requirement for eligibility for a Kansas promise scholarship and modifying the definition of part-time student under such program.