WASHINGTON UPDATE Presented by Lori Strumpf : Center for Strategic Change
Washington Update Sequestration http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu0ypgtlatg Appropriations Mid July is the expected date WIA Reauthorization (includes ABE) Elementary and Secondary Education Act 2
Reauthorization of ESEA The Elementary and Secondary Education Act was passed in 1965 as a part of the "War on Poverty." ESEA emphasizes equal access to education and establishes high standards and accountability. The law authorizes federally funded education programs that are administered by the states. In 2002, Congress amended ESEA and reauthorized it as the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). 3
Bill Introduced by Chairman Harkin, the Strengthening America s Schools Act of 2013 Harkin said. The bill I have introduced today will build on the current state-led reforms that support teachers and schools as they prepare America s children with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in college and careers. 4
The Strengthening America s Schools Act provides a framework to get all children to graduate from high school with the knowledge and skills needed for success in college and a career. It does this by: Supporting teachers and principals to help provide highquality instruction; Ensuring disadvantaged students get the supports they need to succeed; and Focusing federal attention on supporting states and districts in turning around low-performing schools and closing achievement gaps. Calls for coordination with adult education for the purposes of family literacy 5
WIA Reauthorization: Passed the House Supporting Knowledge & Investing in Lifelong Skills Act (SKILLS Act), H.R. 803 (Virginia Foxx) The SKILLS Act will streamline 35 duplicative federally run workforce development programs as highlighted by a GAO report (2011) and create one Workforce Investment Fund. 6
Additionally, the SKILLS Act will: Require a report on administrative costs and savings due to program streamlining; Provide more flexibility to states by removing 19 mandates that currently dictate Workforce Investment Board membership; Strengthen the role of state and local officials and job creators, allowing them to tailor programs to best fit their area s needs and job opportunities; Facilitate greater collaboration with community colleges by allowing states to determine the standards required for eligible training providers; Reform Job Corps to ensure that career and technical education is geared toward in-demand jobs; Increase focus on the delivery of basic literacy and math skills; and Help individuals with disabilities transition into employment. 7
Improves Adult Education and Vocational Rehabilitation. Amends the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Increases the focus on delivery of basic literacy and math skills, and Works to build this instruction into employment activities. Also focuses on helping individuals with disabilities transition into employment. 8
Definitions The term integrated education and training means services that provide adult education and literacy activities contextually and concurrently with workforce preparation activities and workforce training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster. Such services may include offering adult education services concurrent with postsecondary education and training, including through co-instruction. 9
State plans a description of how the adult education and family literacy education programs that will be carried out with any funds received under this title will be integrated with other adult education, career development, and employment and training activities in the State or outlying area served by the eligible agency; 10
a description of the steps the eligible agency will take to ensure direct and equitable access, including how the State will build the capacity of community-based and faith-based organizations to provide adult education and family literacy education programs; and how the State will increase the participation of business and industry in adult education and family literacy education programs; 11
WIA Reauthorization in the Senate No Bill Yet Word is that they will use the draft the HELP Committee began circulating in 2011as the basis 12
Title II: Workforce Investment and Related Activities (From 2011 version) The purpose of this subtitle is to provide workforce investment activities, through statewide and local workforce development systems, that lead to the attainment of recognized postsecondary credentials and increase the employment, retention, economic self sufficiency, and earnings of participants. 13
Title III : Adult Education and Literacy It is the purpose of this title to create a partnership among the Federal Government, States, and localities to provide, on a voluntary basis, adult education and literacy activities, in order to: (1) assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and economic self-sufficiency; (2) assist adults who are parents to obtain the education and skills that (A) are necessary to becoming full partners in the educational development of their children; and (B) lead to sustainable improvements in the economic opportunities for their family; (3) assist adults in attaining a secondary school diploma and in the transition to postsecondary education and training, through career pathways; and (4) assist immigrants and other individuals who are English language learners in (A) improving their (i) reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension skills in English; and (ii) mathematics skills; and (B) acquiring an understanding of the American system of Government, individual freedom, and the responsibilities of citizenship 14
The term adult education means academic instruction and education services below the postsecondary level that increase an individual s ability to (A) read, write, and speak in English and perform mathematics or other activities necessary for the attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent; (B) transition to postsecondary education and training; and (C) obtain employment 15
Definitions: Integrated Education and Training A service approach that provides adult education and literacy activities concurrently and contextually with workforce preparation activities and workforce training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster for the purpose of educational or career advancement. 16
Performance Accountability System Measures are the same for all core programs - WIA and Adult Education (I) the percentage of program participants who are employed during the first or second full calendar quarter after exit from the program; (II) the percentage of program participants who are employed during the full calendar quarters subsequent to the earliest full calendar quarter during which the participant was employed; (III) the median earnings of program participants who are employed during the 2 subsequent full calendar quarters; (IV) the percentage of program participants who obtain a recognized postsecondary credential, or a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent during participation in or within 1 year after exit from the program; (V) the percentage of program participants who, during the second full calendar quarter after exit from the program, are in an education or training program that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential; and (VI) the indicators of effectiveness in serving employers 17
Interesting State Action CA: Governor s Budget, May Revision Improving Adult Education increases funding and proposes restructuring Within 2 years transition to a new adult education partnership program comprised of regional adult education providers forming a regional consortia Available funding will be prioritized to critical areas of instruction: ESL, Citizenship, High School Diploma, GED, and Workplace Education Consortia will be required to develop course sequencing pathways to allow adult learners to move seamlessly from completing ABE programs into their next endeavor 18
Reading the Tea Leaves Consolidation Career Pathways Transitions to work and post secondary Evidence based best practices Less federal money 19