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.