The department, through the division of community colleges,
is hereby designated as the agency for administration of state and federally
funded adult basic education programs and for supervision of the administration
of adult basic education programs. The division shall be responsible for the
allocation and distribution of state and federal funds awarded to eligible
institutions for adult basic education programs through a grant application in
accordance with this chapter and with the state plan.
(1)
Eligible institutions.
Adult education and literacy programs may be operated by:
a. Entities accredited by the Higher Learning
Commission and approved by the department; or
b. Eligible entities as defined by the Adult
Education and Family Literacy Act,
20 U.S.C. Ch. 73, and subsequent federal
workforce training and adult education legislation, and approved by the
department.
(2)
Program components.
a. The
eligible institution shall maintain the ability to provide the following adult
education and literacy services as deemed appropriate by the community or needs
of the students:
(1) Adult basic
education;
(2) Programs for adults
of limited English proficiency;
(3)
Adult secondary education, including programs leading to the achievement of a
high school equivalency certificate or high school diploma;
(4) Instructional services provided by
qualified instructors as defined in subrule 23.6(1) to improve student
proficiencies necessary to function effectively in adult life, including
accessing further education, employment-related training, or
employment;
(5) Assessment and
guidance services adhering to the state's assessment policy; and
(6) Programs and services stipulated by
current and subsequent federal and state adult education legislation.
b. Institutions shall effectively
use technology, services, and delivery systems, including distance education,
in a manner sufficient to increase the amount and quality of student learning
and performance.
c. Institutions
shall ensure a student acquires the skills needed to transition to and complete
postsecondary education and training programs and obtain and advance in
employment leading to economic self-sufficiency.
(3)
Local planning.
a. Adult education and literacy programs
shall collaborate and enter into agreements with multiple partners in the
community for the purpose of establishing a local plan. Such plans shall expand
the services available to adult learners, align with the strategies and goals
established by the state plan, and prevent duplication of services.
b. An adult education and literacy program's
agreement shall not be formalized until the local plan is approved by the
department. A plan shall be approved provided the plan complies with the
standards and criteria outlined in this chapter, federal adult education and
family literacy legislation, and the strategies and goals of the state plan as
defined in the local plan application.
c. Local plans may be approved by the state
for single or multiple years.
(4)
Federal funding. Federal
funds received by an adult education and literacy program must not be expended
for any purpose other than authorized activities, in the manner prescribed by
the authorizing federal legislation.
(5)
State funding. Moneys
received from state funding sources for adult education and literacy programs
shall be used in the manner described in this subrule. All funds shall be used
to expand services and improve the quality of adult education and literacy
programs.
a. Use of funds. State funding shall
be expended on:
(1) Allowable uses pursuant
to the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act,
20 U.S.C. Ch. 73, and
subsequent federal workforce training and adult education
legislation.
(2) High school
equivalency testing and associated costs.
b.
Restrictions. In
expending state funding, adult education and literacy programs shall adhere to
the allowable use restrictions of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act,
20 U.S.C. Ch. 73, and subsequent federal workforce training and adult education
legislation, except for administrative cost restrictions.
c.
Reporting. All reporting
for state funding shall adhere to a summary of financial transactions related
to the adult education and literacy program's resources and expenses in a
format prescribed by the department. Adult education and literacy programs
shall submit quarterly reports to the department on dates to be set by the
department. A year-end report shall be submitted to the department no later
than October 1.
(6)
English as a second language. In addition to meeting the
requirements of subrules 23.3(1) through 23.3(5), English as a second language
programs shall adhere to the following provisions.
a.
Application process. An
English as a second language program shall annually submit an application to
the department that identifies the need, sets benchmarks, and provides a plan
for high-quality instruction.
b.
Distribution and allocation. The department and the community
colleges shall jointly prescribe the distribution and allocation of funding,
which shall be based on need for instruction in English as a second language in
the region served by each community college. Need shall be based on census,
survey, and local outreach efforts and results.
c.
Midyear reporting.
English as a second language programs shall include a narrative describing the
progress and attainment of the benchmarks specified in the application
described in paragraph 23.3(6)"a." The report shall be
provided to the department midway through the academic year.