SRC-JRN C.S.S.B. 1379 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   C.S.S.B. 1379
By: Ellis
Education
4-18-97
Committee Report (Substituted)


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, C.S.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

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 29.252, Education Code, as follows:

Sec. 29.252. STATE ROLE IN ADULT AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION.  Sets forth the
requirements of the Texas Education Agency (TEA), to include developing
and administering a standardized assessment mechanism for assessing all
adult education program 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 prescribed
under Subsection (a)(8) to include an initial basic skills screening
instrument and to provide comprehensive information concerning baseline
student skills before and student progress after participation in an adult
education program. 

SECTION 2.  Sets forth completion dates regarding certain matters for the
TEA. 

SECTION 3. Requires TEA to develop a comprehensive management information
system to measure the progress of and results achieved by adult education
programs by September 1, 1998. 

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.

Amends Section 29.252, rather than Sections 29.252-29.255, Education Code.
Sets forth the requirements of TEA, rather than the Texas Workforce
Commission.  Requires TEA to develop and administer a standardized
assessment mechanism for assessing all adult education program
participants who need literacy instruction, adult basic education, or
secondary education leading to an adult high school diploma or the
equivalent.  Sets forth the requirements of the assessment mechanism.
Deletes proposed amendments to Sections 29.253-29.255. 

 SECTION 2.

Deletes proposed SECTION 2.  Sets forth completion dates regarding certain
matters for the TEA. 

SECTION 3.

Deletes proposed SECTION 3.  Requires TEA to develop a comprehensive
management information system to measure the progress of and results
achieved by adult education programs by September 1, 1998. 

SECTION 4.

Deletes proposed SECTION 4.  Sets forth the emergency clause and effective
date.