2014 -- S 2968

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LC004579

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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: Senators Pichardo, Jabour, Lynch, Pearson, and Miller

     Date Introduced: May 01, 2014

     Referred To: Senate Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-63 of the General Laws entitled "Adult Education" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following sections:

     16-63-9.1. Legislative finding. -- The general assembly hereby finds that many adult

learners in Rhode Island encounter waiting lists as long as one year in duration, that prevent them

from enrolling in adult education programs, this situation frustrates their ability to lead fuller lives

and also stands in the way of the state's workforce development. It is further found that a program

that eliminates the waiting list for adult education programs would promote the general welfare of

the citizens of the state and create a stronger workforce for all of Rhode Island.

     16-63-9.2. Adult education "Wait no more" program. – (a) There is hereby

established with the department of elementary and secondary education an adult education

waiting list elimination program. The program is founded for the express purpose of eliminating

the waiting time for adults to enter into approved adult education programs in Rhode Island,

including Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education and English as a Second Language

programs.

     (b) The commissioner of education is hereby vested with the authority to promulgate

such rules and regulations as are deemed necessary and in the public interest to establish and

place into operation the adult education waiting list elimination program and authorize payments.

     (c) Rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to subsection (b) in this section shall

include, but not be limited to, the following areas of concern:

     (1) The creation and use of a performance-based funding calculation to allocate program

funds;

     (2) Emphasis on programs that minimize waiting lists by increasing program capacity;

     (3) Emphasis on programs that reflect the state’s economic and workforce priorities;

     (4) Emphasis on programs that direct participants to the workforce;

     (5) Emphasis on programs that include a digital literacy component;

     (6) Emphasis on programs that provide wraparound services for adult learners at the

lowest levels of performance; and

     (7) Emphasis on programs that are fiscally transparent in their reporting.

     (d) The department of secondary and elementary education is directed to provide on or

before July 1, 2015, and thereafter annually, a report to the general assembly that describes how

the program funds were allocated, the impact of the program on the waiting lists for adult

education programs, and the progress of adults participating in the adult education programs.

     (e) The general assembly shall appropriate one million dollars ($1,000,000) for fiscal

year 2015 to support the program.

     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 establish with the department of elementary and secondary education and

adult education a waiting list eliminating programs for the purpose of eliminating the waiting

time for adults to enter into approved adult education programs. It would also require the general

assembly to appropriate one million dollars ($1,000,000) for the fiscal year 2015 to support the

program.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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