SRC-JRN S.B. 1379 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1379 By: Ellis Education 4-15-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, adult education programs are the responsibility of the Texas Education Agency (TEA). However, there is concern that some of the adult education programs may be transferred to the Texas Workforce Commission. This bill allows adult education programs to remain under the authority of TEA. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1379 allows adult education programs to remain under the authority of the Texas Education Agency, rather than transferring the programs to the Texas Workforce Commission. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Workforce Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 29.255(b), Education Code) and to the advisory group in SECTION 5(c) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 29.252-29.255, Education Code, as follows: Sec. 29.252. STATE ROLE IN ADULT AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION. Sets forth the requirements of the Texas Workforce Commission (commission), rather than the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Sec. 29.253. PROVISION OF ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMS. Requires adult education programs to be provided by certain organizations in accordance with state statutes and rules adopted by the commission in conjunction with the State Board of Education (board). Sec. 29.254. ADULT EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE. Authorizes the commission, rather than the board, to establish an adult education advisory committee. Requires the public to advise the commission, rather than the board, on needs, priorities, and standards of adult education programs conducted in accordance with this subchapter. Sec. 29.255. FUNDING. Requires the commission, rather than TEA, to ensure that public local education agencies, public nonprofit agencies, and community-based organizations have direct and equitable access to those funds. Authorizes an additional sum of money to be appropriated to the commission, rather than the Texas Department of Commerce, for the purpose of skill training. Authorizes TEA in conjunction with the commission to adopt rules relating to administering skill training programs. SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 302A, Labor Code, by adding Section 302.003, as follows: Sec. 302.003. ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL NEEDS. Requires the commission to develop and administer a standardized assessment mechanism for assessing all workforce development system participants who need literacy instruction, adult basic education, or secondary education leading to an adult high school diploma or the equivalent. Requires the assessment mechanism to include an initial basic skills screening instrument and provide comprehensive information concerning student progress before and after participation in a workforce development program. SECTION 3. Amends Section 302.021(a), Labor Code, to make standard recodification changes for certain job-training, employment, and employment-related educational programs consolidated under the authority of the division of workforce development of the commission. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 4. (a) Requires adult education programs administered by TEA to be transferred to the commission on December 1, 1997. (b) Requires all money, records, property, and equipment in the custody of TEA on November 30, 1997, to be transferred to the custody of the commission on December 1, 1997. (c) Provides that a reference in law to TEA concerning adult education program administration means the commission. (d) Requires appropriations made to TEA for adult education program administration for the state fiscal biennium ending August 31, 1999 to be transferred to the commission. SECTION 5. (a) Sets forth the creation of the adult education program administration transition advisory group. (b) Sets forth composition of the advisory group. (c) Sets forth the responsibilities of the advisory group. (d) Requires the executive director of the commission and the commissioner of education to appoint members to the advisory group by October 1, 1997. (e) Requires the advisory group to hold its initial meeting by November 1, 1997. (f) Provides that this section expires and the advisory group is abolished December 1, 1999. SECTION 6. Requires the commission to develop a comprehensive management information system to measure the progress of and results achieved by adult education programs, utilizing certain data. Requires the commission to use software developed for that purpose by Texas A&M University. SECTION 7. Requires the commission to complete development of the standardized assessment mechanism for assessing workforce development system participants under Section 302.003, Labor Code, as added by this Act. Requires the commission to implement the standardized assessment mechanism by July 1, 1998. SECTION 8. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 9. Emergency clause.