R 302
2018 -- S 2960
Enacted 06/12/2018

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N
CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE APPROPRIATE STATE AGENCY TO HOUSE ADULT EDUCATION

Introduced By: Senator Harold M. Metts
Date Introduced: June 07, 2018

     WHEREAS, The state agency with authority over adult education in Rhode Island is the
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; and
     WHEREAS, Adult learners usually have multi-level responsibilities, including work and
family; and
     WHEREAS, Adult learners have different needs and goals from traditional adolescents in
the K-12 system; and
     WHEREAS, Adult learners are also more likely to have been away from the classroom
for a significant period of time and require unique resources to bring them to the level of
competency that will enable their successful completion of the GED; and
     WHEREAS, A recent study of LaGuardia Community College at the City University of
New York and Northeast Wisconsin College in Green Bay, Wisconsin, showed that adults who
attended Bridge GED programs were 20 percent more likely to complete GED classes and exams
and to enroll in higher education courses; and
     WHEREAS, While the majority of states house adult education within their Departments
of Education that are responsible for grades K – 12, a number of other states have placed adult
education in different state agencies; and
     WHEREAS, Nineteen states house adult education in either the Department of Higher
Education, the Department of Labor or Workforce Development, or the Department of
Community and Technical Colleges; now, therefore be it
     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created
consisting of thirteen (13) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the Rhode Island
Senate, not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the President of
the Senate; one of whom shall be the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, or
designee; one of whom shall be the Commissioner of Postsecondary Education, or designee; one
of whom shall be the Director of Labor and Training, or designee; one of whom shall be the
Executive Director of the Governor's Workforce Board, or designee; one of whom shall be the
President of the Community College of Rhode Island, or designee; one of whom shall be an adult
education provider that offers GED courses, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one
of whom shall be an adult education provider of English for Speakers of Other Languages, to be
appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom shall be the Director of the Department of
Corrections, or designee; one of whom shall be a representative of the RI Resource Hub or a
similar organization committed to connecting adults with educational opportunities, to be
appointed by the President of the Senate; and one of whom shall be a current or former recipient
of adult education in Rhode Island, to be appointed by the President of the Senate.
     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory
commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly
resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu
of a legislator, provided that the Senate President or the Minority Leader of the political party that
is entitled to the appointment consents to the appointment of the member of the general public.
     The purpose of the said commission shall be to conduct a comprehensive review and
make recommendations regarding the appropriate state agency to house adult education.
     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at
the call of the Chair, who shall be appointed by the President of the Senate.
     Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.
     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.
     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,
documentary or otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable
by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.
     The Joint Committee on Legislative Services is hereby authorized and directed to provide
suitable quarters for said commission; and be it further
     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the
President of the Senate on or before March 1, 2019, and said commission shall expire on July 1,
2019.
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LC005586
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