SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5771
As of January 17, 2022
Title: An act relating to including certain residents who do not have a high school diploma or credential and the number of students expected to enroll in basic education for adults courses at community and technical colleges in caseload forecast council forecasting.
Brief Description: Including certain residents who do not have a high school diploma or credential and the number of students expected to enroll in basic education for adults courses at community and technical colleges in caseload forecast council forecasting.
Sponsors: Senators Holy, Randall, Carlyle, Lovick and Wilson, C.; by request of State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Higher Education & Workforce Development: 1/18/22.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires the Caseload Forecast Council to forecast the number of state residents ages 18 to 44 who do not have a high school diploma or credential, and the number of students expected to enroll in basic education for adults courses at community and technical colleges.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Staff: Alicia Kinne-Clawson (786-7407)
Background:

Basic Education for Adults.  The community and technical colleges (CTCs) are required under the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, and reauthorized under the Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act of 2014, to provide adult education for persons over the age of 16 who are not enrolled, or required to be enrolled, in secondary school under state law, and who:

  • do not have a high school diploma or degree, or have not achieved an equivalent level of education;
  • lack sufficient mastery of basic educational skills to function effectively in society; or
  • are unable to speak, read, or write English.

 

Adult basic education instruction is designed to help an individual achieve mastery of skills in reading, writing, oral communication, and computation at a level sufficient to function effectively as a parent, worker, and citizen.  It also includes English as a second language and preparation and testing services for high school equivalency certificates.

 

The CTCs may waive all or a portion of tuition and services and activities fees for students 19 years of age or older who are eligible for resident tuition and are enrolled in a course or program to finish their high school education.

 

The Caseload Forecast Council.  The Caseload Forecast Council (CFC) oversees the preparation and approval of the official state caseload forecasts.  The CFC estimates the number of persons expected to meet entitlement requirements and require the service of public assistance programs; state correctional institutions; state correctional non-institutional supervision; state institutions for juvenile offenders; the common school and charter school systems; long-term care; medical assistance; foster care; the College Bound Scholarship Program; and adoption support.
Summary of Bill:

As a courtesy, the CFC must forecast the number of state residents ages 18 to 44 who do not have a high school diploma or equivalent or post-secondary credential, and the number of students expected to enroll in basic education for adults courses at community and technical colleges.

 

The CFC may request data from the state board for community and technical colleges and the education data center.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 14, 2022.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.