2014 -- H 7572

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LC004619

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - ADULT EDUCATION

     Introduced By: Representatives Ferri, Diaz, Hull, Costantino, and Finn

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2014

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Sections 16-63-2 and 16-63-13 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-63

entitled "Adult Education" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     16-63-2. Legislative findings and policy. -- (a) The general assembly, in accordance

with the constitution of the state, R.I. Const., Art. XII, section 1, which obligates the state "to

secure to the people the advantages and opportunities of education," and also pursuant to R.I.

Const., Art. XII, section 4, which requires it to "make all necessary provisions by law for carrying

this article into effect," finds:

      (1) That all citizens, regardless of age, have the right to education;

      (2) That education is a lifelong pursuit;

      (3) That basic education and general personal development are necessary to enjoy a

wholesome life; and

      (4) That vocational training is useful in acquiring a marketable skill and achieving

economic self-sufficiency.;

     (5) That a skilled workforce is critical to Rhode Island businesses and to the state’s

economic growth;

     (6) That acquiring and strengthening foundational workforce skills, including, but not

limited to, literacy, numeracy, high school equivalency, and English language skills, are vital for

workers' upward mobility;

     (7) That statewide, as of January 1, 2014, there are at least one thousand three hundred

(1,300) adults waiting to enter adult education programs regulated and funded by the Rhode

Island department of education; and

     (8) That there is an urgent need to address this waiting list because such delays in

education result in lost opportunities both for the individuals waiting and the state as a whole.

      (b) The general assembly declares:

      (1) That the public laws shall address the education needs of adults and young people;

      (2) That an integrated and coordinated adult education delivery system shall be provided

and maintained on a statewide basis; and

      (3) That public funds shall be appropriated to support that delivery system and fulfill the

constitutional mandate.

      (c) All adult education programs and services provided by any department or agency of

the state of Rhode Island or local government, or funded in whole or in part by state funds, shall

be offered in the least restrictive environment, be designed to enhance the quality of life for adult

learners, and be consistent with and inclusive of the following values that reflect the preferences

and needs of adult learners;

      (1) Adult learners shall be treated with dignity and respect;

      (2) Adult learners shall be included in policy development affecting adult education;

      (3) Adult learners shall be offered services that are cost-effective and meet the learners'

needs;

      (4) Adult learners shall have access to testing, evaluation and requisite accommodation

for learning and/or other disabilities;

      (5) Adult learners shall be fully informed about the educational choices available to

them;

      (6) Adult learners shall participate in decisions about their educational process, including

information exchange and goal setting;

      (7) Adult learners shall be provided with educational programming commensurate with

their abilities, including but not limited to basic skills, vocational education, and/or secondary

education or its recognized equivalent;

      (8) Adult learners shall receive consistent, sustained quality in their education.

     16-63-13. Adult education financing. – (a) The cost of providing adult education

programs and services shall be met by federal, state, and local government resources, and by

tuition and fees to be paid by participants according to the categories of programs and services, as

further set forth in this chapter.

     (b) Recognizing that as of January 1, 2014, there are approximately one thousand three

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hundred (1,300) adults waiting to enter adult education programs regulated and funded by the

Rhode Island department of education, the general assembly hereby appropriates the sum of two

million dollars ($2,000,000) to the department of education for use in fiscal year 2015 to expand

the capacity of current adult education programs in Rhode Island and to reduce and eliminate the

number of adult learners waiting to enter such programs.

     (c) On or before January 15, 2015, and approximately every three (3) months thereafter,

the Rhode Island department of education shall provide a written report to the speaker of the

house, the president of the senate, the chairs of the house and senate finance committees, and to

the governor, which shall document how the funds appropriated in subsection (b) were expended.

Such report shall include:

     (1) The adult education programs to which the funds were appropriated and the amounts

of the appropriation;

     (2) The action taken by said program to reduce the waiting list for adult education

services;

     (3) The status of the waiting list at each adult education program that received funds; and

     (4) The status of those adult education programs with a waiting list that did not receive

funds.

     The department shall continue to provide reports to the general assembly on the progress

made to reduce the number of adult learners waiting to participate in adult education programs,

until further action of the general assembly.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - ADULT EDUCATION

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     This act would directly appropriate the sum of two million dollars ($2,000,000) to the

Rhode Island department of education for the purpose of reducing and eliminating the number of

adults waiting to receive adult education services. This act would also direct the Rhode Island

department of education to provide regular written reports on the progress of reducing the number

of adults waiting to participate in adult education programs.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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