Adult education programs support the "formal training of adults in literacy, academic, and workplace skills" (USOE Finance & Statistics, MSP Descriptions, November 2006). The program assists adults who can function in everyday life but do not have a secondary school diploma, the General Educational Development Test (GED) or its recognized equivalent. District programs provide instruction in subjects that lead to a high school diploma or GED for adults.
Eligibility for Adult Education includes:
- Individuals who are at least 18 years of age, or at least 16 years of age and released from compulsory attendance by the local School Board or are an adjudicated adult.
- Individuals who lack sufficient mastery of basic educational skills or English language communication skills to enable them to function effectively in society. (Lacking sufficient mastery means if a student had obtained a high school diploma but tests at an educational functioning level less than an adult high school standard.)
Learners qualify if they lack sufficient English language skills to get or maintain employment. An individual that lacks a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent is also eligible for participation.
School districts may offer any of five Adult Education programs. These programs are highlighted below (USOE, Eligibility Criteria, Adult Education, December 2006).
- Adult Basic Education -- "provides instruction for adults whose inability to compute or speak, read, or write the English language at or below the eighth grade level substantially impairs their ability to find or retain employment commensurate with their real ability."
- Adult High School Completion -- is a program for adults "who have some literacy skills and can function in everyday life but are not proficient or do not have a secondary school diploma, GED or its recognized equivalent."
- English Language Civics -- the primary function of this program is to "teach English as a Second Language to adult learners. These programs include school districts' adult education programs, community-based programs, faith-based programs, and beginning in the school year 2004 for profit programs."
- English for Speakers of other Languages -- is a "program for those limited English proficient students who have a focus on improving English communication skills such as speaking, reading, writing, and listening."
- General Educational Development -- provides training geared for the GED test. The GED "measures the major and lasting outcomes and concepts associated with a traditional four-year high school education."
Formula -- School districts receive Adult Education allocations based on a formula which includes an equal funding base of seven percent of the total allocation. The remaining appropriation is divided among the school districts based on formula. This formula includes 50% "proportional to outcomes (high school diplomas awarded, GED certificates awarded, level gains made, high school credits earned); 25% proportional to enrollment; 16% proportional to contact hours; and 2% retained for discretionary allocation on merits of application" made by school districts and charter schools. (USOE Finance & Statistics, MSP Descriptions, November 2006)
Formula Restrictions -- A school district must have its Adult Education plan approved by the State Board of Education in order to receive program allocations.
During the 2015 General Session, the Legislature appropriated for Fiscal Year 2016, $10,303,400 from all sources for Adult Education. This is a 5.4 percent increase from Fiscal Year 2015 revised estimated amounts from all sources. The total includes $10,303,400 from the General/Education Funds, an increase of 5.4 percent from revised Fiscal Year 2015 estimates.
In addition to statewide compensation and internal service fund cost increases, the following appropriation adjustments were made during the 2015 General Session:
The following statute governs Adult Education programs offered by school districts.
- UCA 53A-17a-119 -- provides rule making authority to the State Board of Education and outlines the allocation formula for distributing Adult Education appropriations to school districts.
Administrative Rule R277-733 was passed by the State Board of Education. The rule provides administrative procedures associated with the governance of the Adult Education Programs.
COBI contains unaudited data as presented to the Legislature by state agencies at the time of publication. For audited financial data see the State of Utah's Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports.