(1) "Adult education and literacy programs" means programs that provide adult basic education, adult education leading to a high school equivalency credential, English as a second language instruction, or integrated basic education and skills training.

(2) "Department" means the department of education created and existing pursuant to section 24-1-115, C.R.S.

(3) "Eligible adult" means a person who:

(a) Is at least seventeen years of age;

(b) Is not enrolled in a public or private secondary school; and

(c)

(I) Lacks a high school diploma or its equivalent; or

(II) Is in need of English language instruction; or

(III) Lacks sufficient mastery of the basic literacy and numeracy skills necessary to enable the person to function effectively in the workplace.

(4) "English language instruction" means instruction that is designed to assist a person with limited English proficiency to achieve competence in the English language, thus allowing the person to understand and navigate governmental, educational, and workplace systems.

(5) "Grant program" means the adult education and literacy grant program created in section 22-10-104.

(6) "Literacy" means a person's ability to read, write, and speak English at levels of proficiency that are necessary to function on the job and in society, achieve the person's goals, and develop the person's knowledge and potential.

(7) "Local education provider" means one of the following entities that the department recognizes as providing appropriate and effective adult education and literacy programs:

(a) A secondary or postsecondary, public or private, nonprofit educational entity, including but not limited to a school district, charter school, board of cooperative services, state institution of higher education, local district college, and area technical college;

(b) A community-based, nonprofit agency or organization;

(c) A library;

(d) A literacy council or other literacy institute;

(e) A business or business association that provides adult education and literacy programs either on-site or off-site;

(f) A volunteer literacy organization;

(g) A local work force board, as defined in section 8-83-203, C.R.S., that oversees a work force development program described in the "Colorado Career Advancement Act", part 2 of article 83 of title 8, C.R.S.;

(h) A one-stop partner, as described in section 8-83-216, C.R.S., under the "Colorado Career Advancement Act", part 2 of article 83 of title 8, C.R.S.; or

(i) A consortia of entities described in this subsection (7).

(8) "Numeracy" means a person's ability to compute and solve mathematical problems at levels of proficiency that are necessary to function on the job and in society, achieve the person's goals, and develop the person's knowledge and potential.

(9) "Office" means the office within the department that is responsible for adult education.

(10) "State board" means the state board of education created in section 1 of article IX of the state constitution.

(11) (a) "Workforce development partnership" means a collaboration that assists adults in attaining basic literacy and numeracy skills leading to additional skill acquisition, postsecondary credentials, and employment. At a minimum, a workforce development partnership must include at least one local education provider, at least one postsecondary education or training provider, and at least one workforce development provider.

(b) For purposes of this subsection (11), a postsecondary education or training provider includes, but need not be limited to:

(I) A state institution of higher education, local district college, or area technical college;

(II) An apprenticeship program;

(III) An entity that provides accelerated education and skills training certificate programs created pursuant to part 9 of article 60 of title 23, C.R.S.;

(IV) An entity that operates programs through the manufacturing career pathway pursuant to part 10 of article 60 of title 23, C.R.S., or another career pathway pursuant to section 24-46.3-104, C.R.S.; and

(V) A community-based workforce development program that is operated through the Colorado customized training program created in section 23-60-306, C.R.S.

(c) For purposes of this subsection (11), a work force development provider includes, but need not be limited to:

(I) A work force development program described in the "Colorado Career Advancement Act", part 2 of article 83 of title 8, C.R.S.; and

(II) A program that is supported by the state work force development council created in article 46.3 of title 24, C.R.S.