TITLE 126

PROCEDURAL RULE

BOARD OF EDUCATION

SERIES 57

GUIDELINES FOR COMPLIANCE WITH ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND COMPUTATION FOR ADULTS ENROLLED UNDER THE SCHOOL AID FORMULA, ADULTS IN NET ENROLLMENT (2420)



§126-57-1. General.

1.1. Scope. ­ Today's world demands a well educated workforce, technically literate and poised for change. Family literacy should be re-enforced as a goal of our society. Learning must become a life-long goal and part of our every day life. Therefore, the West Virginia Board of Education and county boards of education have a shared responsibility to offer adult education programs in cooperation with employers, community groups and community colleges.

1.2. Authority. ­ West Virginia Constitution, Article XII, Section 2; West Virginia Code §18-9A-2.

1.3. Filing Date. ­ February 20, 1998.

1.4. Effective Date. ­ March 22, 1998.

§126-57-2. Adult Vocational-Technical Programs.

2.1. All adults who enter technical centers should be assessed. Persons enrolled in technical education, not possessing a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) diploma, must successfully complete the GED test or the External Diploma Program before the technical education center may confer a certificate.

2.1.1. The intake process for adults should include full disclosure of:

a. exact course title

b. number of hours of instruction to be provided

c. main learning goals and objectives

d. national certification to be earned with disclosure of any waiting periods or work requirements to sit for the exam

e. articulation available

2.1.2. New adult vocational technical education classes of 400 hours or more must be submitted to the Division of Technical and Adult Education Services for approval, regardless of funding source.

2.1.3. New one-year certificate vocational technical programs must be approved by the Division of Technical and Adult Education Services and the West Virginia Joint Commission for Vocational-Technical-Occupational Education.

2.2. Adult training programs should be offered in viable occupational areas.

2.3. Local county personnel should work closely with area employers to provide quality training and retraining programs for employees.

2.4. Technical education centers are encouraged to include one-year certificates in Community College articulation agreements.

2.5. Class schedules and offerings should be designed to meet customer needs .

2.6. Counties should include adults in secondary technical programs when daytime schedules and enrollments permit.

2.7. Vocational-technical education facilities staff should actively recruit adults, especially from targeted groups such as veterans, economically disadvantaged and single parents.

2.8. Vocational-technical education facilities should participate in financial aid programs.

2.9. Vocational-technical education facilities should offer assessment, remediation, counseling and placement services as components of adult programs.

§126-57-3. Funding Sources.

3.1. The West Virginia Board of Education will fund adult programs up to levels of funding available from State and Federal sources.

3.2. Schools will be assured of tuition and fees being paid if students receive financial assistance.

3.3. Tuition that is received for classes will be used to start new classes and maintain currently established classes. "Any funds accruing from such tuition shall be credited to adult education in the current expense fund of the county board of education and reported each year as of June thirtieth in the manner required for other financial reports of the board." W.Va. Code §18-5-19b.

3.4. As described in, W.Va. Code §18-9A-2, counties will receive funding through school state aid formula monies for adults enrolled in secondary vocational programs.

3.4.1. All West Virginia adults qualify for technical training except under the following circumstances:

a. Adults enrolled in other federal/state training programs and/or financial aid programs, such as Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), Migratory Education, Pell Grant, etc.

b. Adults who obtain financial assistance from any federal or state financial aid program, while enrolled under the school aid formula through W.Va. Code §18-9A-2, immediately become ineligible under the school aid formula and are responsible for full payment of tuition and fees.

§126-57-4. Adult Basic Education (ABE): Essential Elements.

4.1. Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs will provide instruction in foundational skills related to employment, family, educational, civic and personal goals.

4.2. Each ABE program will develop a planning document that specifies program goals and objectives and is regularly reviewed and revised.

4.3. Each ABE program will develop and utilize a needs assessment system to determine the type of course offerings, preferred locations and class scheduling most appropriate to meet the needs of the community.

4.4. ABE programs will develop a system for obtaining continual community input and coordination to ensure that services are relevant, to avoid duplication of effort and to create a smooth transition of services for the adult learner.

4.5. ABE programs will target student recruitment activities toward adults most in need of educational and life skill services.

4.6. Curriculum and instruction will be geared to a variety of student learning styles and levels of student needs.

4.7. Emphasis will be placed on the use of technology as an instructional tool and a learning skill for participant use.

4.8. Adults with special learning needs will be identified and provided with appropriate accommodations for learning.

4.9. Community support services will be identified and utilized to meet the adult learner's needs.

4.10. ABE classes will be located in facilities that are safe, handicapped-accessible and conducive to learning.

4.11. Adult learners will be assisted to improve in foundational skills that: (1) support their educational needs; (2) enhance existing strengths; (3) enable them to function more effectively in their roles as worker, parent and citizen; and (4) prepare them for further education or training.

4.12. A data collection system will be utilized to document and record participant achievement.

4.13. ABE program instructors will participate in an ongoing process for professional development that considers the specific needs of its staff and adult learners.

4.14. A continuous improvement process will be executed to ensure that all services are of the highest quality and meet standards of accountability.