By:  Lucio                                                        S.B. No. 1750


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of a task force to study adult 
education programs.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  TASK FORCE ON ADULT EDUCATION REFORM.                              
	(a)  Not later than December 1, 2003, the Task Force on Adult 
Education Reform shall be established to study and make 
recommendations on improving adult education programs in the state 
through the creation of a coordinated plan.
	(b)  The task force consists of 17 members as follows:                         
		(1)  the commissioner of the Texas Education Agency, or 
the commissioner's designee;
		(2)  the chair of the commission of the Texas Workforce 
Commission, or the chair's designee;
		(3)  the commissioner of the Texas Higher Education 
Coordinating Board, or the commissioner's designee;
		(4)  one member representing the Texas Department of 
Human Services;        
		(5)  one member representing the Texas Department of 
Criminal Justice;      
		(6)  one member representing the Texas Rehabilitation 
Commission;           
		(7)  one member representing the Texas Commission for 
the Blind;            
		(8)  one member representing the Texas Department of 
Economic Development;  
		(9)  one member representing the Texas Council on 
Workforce and Economic Competitiveness;
		(10)  two members representing public adult education 
providers appointed by the governor;
		(11)  two members representing community-based adult 
education providers appointed by the governor;
		(12)  two members representing employers appointed by 
the governor; and     
		(13)  two members representing local workforce 
development board appointed by the governor.
	(c)  The governor shall designate a member of the task force 
to serve as the presiding officer.
	(d)  The task force shall meet at the call of the presiding 
officer.         
	(e)  The Texas Education Agency shall provide the staff 
necessary to assist the task force in performing its duties.
	(f)  The task force shall study and evaluate adult education 
programs in the state.  The task force shall:
		(1)  determine the need and demand for adult education 
programs in the state, including the need and demand for the 
programs by special populations;
		(2)  determine the existing capacity to provide the 
adult education programs demanded;
		(3)  assess the retention and progress rate of students 
enrolled in adult education programs;
		(4)  evaluate the performance measures utilized to 
assess student performance and the effectiveness of adult education 
programs in the state;
		(5)  examine the current structure for delivering adult 
education programs in the state, with a focus on its integration 
with workplace skills training;
		(6)  identify best practices for providing the most 
effective and efficient delivery of adult education programs, 
including the examination of practices used in other states;
		(7)  evaluate the curricula utilized in adult education 
programs in the state;
		(8)  evaluate the professional development services 
provided to adult education instructors in the state;
		(9)  evaluate the use of technology and distance 
learning initiatives in adult education programs in the state; and
		(10)  evaluate the role of adult education in workforce 
development and economic development in the state.
	(g)  Not later than December 1, 2004, the task force shall 
report to the legislature on its findings under Subsection (f) of 
this section and make recommendations to the legislature in a 
coordinated plan regarding the following:
		(1)  strategies for improving student access, 
participation, and retention in adult education programs in the 
state;
		(2)  strategies for improving the state's capacity to 
provide adult education programs;
		(3)  strategies for improving the integration of adult 
education with workplace skills training in the state;
		(4)  strategies for building partnerships that create 
pathways of advancement from adult education to postsecondary 
education and advanced skills training;
		(5)  strategies for improving the curricula utilized in 
adult education programs in the state;
		(6)  strategies for improving the professional 
development services provided to adult education instructors in the 
state;
		(7)  strategies for improving the use of technology and 
distance learning initiatives in adult education programs in the 
state; and
		(8)  the funding necessary to implement these 
recommendations.              
	(h)  Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the 
task force.        
	(i)  This Act expires and the task force is abolished January 
1, 2005.       
	SECTION 2.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act takes effect September 
1, 2003.