(1)(a) The intent of this section is to encourage the provision of educational services that will enable adults to acquire:

1. The basic skills necessary to attain basic and functional literacy.

2. A high school diploma or successfully complete the high school equivalency examination.

3. An educational foundation that will enable them to become more employable, productive, and self-sufficient citizens.

(b) It is further intended that educational opportunities be available for adults who have earned a diploma or high school equivalency diploma but who lack the basic skills necessary to function effectively in everyday situations, to enter the job market, or to enter career certificate instruction.

(2) The adult education program must provide academic services to students in the following priority:

(a) Students who demonstrate skills at less than a fifth grade level, as measured by tests approved for this purpose by the State Board of Education, and who are studying to achieve basic literacy.

(b) Students who demonstrate skills at the fifth grade level or higher, but below the ninth grade level, as measured by tests approved for this purpose by the State Board of Education, and who are studying to achieve functional literacy.

(c) Students who are earning credit required for a high school diploma or who are preparing for the high school equivalency examination.

(d) Students who have earned high school diplomas and require specific improvement in order to:

1. Obtain or maintain employment or benefit from certificate career education programs;

2. Pursue a postsecondary degree; or

3. Develop competence in the English language to qualify for employment.

(e) Students who enroll in lifelong learning courses or activities that seek to address community social and economic issues that consist of health and human relations, government, parenting, consumer economics, and senior citizens.

(f) Students who enroll in courses that relate to the recreational or leisure pursuits of the students. The cost of courses conducted pursuant to this paragraph shall be borne by the enrollees.

(3)(a) Each district school board or Florida College System institution board of trustees shall negotiate with the local workforce development board for basic and functional literacy skills assessments for participants in the welfare transition employment and training programs. Such assessments shall be conducted at a site mutually acceptable to the district school board or Florida College System institution board of trustees and the local workforce development board.

(b) State employees who are employed in local or regional offices of state agencies shall inform clients of the availability of adult basic and secondary programs in the region. The identities of clients who do not possess high school diplomas or who demonstrate skills below the level of functional literacy shall be conveyed, with their consent, to the local school district or Florida College System institution, or both.

(c) To the extent funds are available, the Department of Children and Families shall provide for day care and transportation services to clients who enroll in adult basic education programs.

(4)(a) Adult general education shall be evaluated and funded as provided in s. 1011.80.

(b) Fees for adult basic instruction are to be charged in accordance with chapter 1009.

(c) The State Board of Education shall define, by rule, the levels and courses of instruction to be funded through the developmental education program. The state board shall coordinate the establishment of costs for developmental education courses, the establishment of statewide standards that define required levels of competence, acceptable rates of student progress, and the maximum amount of time to be allowed for completion of developmental education. Developmental education is part of an associate in arts degree program and may not be funded as an adult career education program.

(d) Expenditures for developmental education and lifelong learning students shall be reported separately. Allocations for developmental education shall be based on proportional full-time equivalent enrollment. Program review results shall be included in the determination of subsequent allocations. A student shall be funded to enroll in the same developmental education class within a skill area only twice, after which time the student shall pay 100 percent of the full cost of instruction to support the continuous enrollment of that student in the same class; however, students who withdraw or fail a class due to extenuating circumstances may be granted an exception only once for each class, provided approval is granted according to policy established by the board of trustees. Each Florida College System institution shall have the authority to review and reduce payment for increased fees due to continued enrollment in a developmental education class on an individual basis contingent upon the student’s financial hardship, pursuant to definitions and fee levels established by the State Board of Education. Developmental education and lifelong learning courses do not generate credit toward an associate or baccalaureate degree.

(e) A district school board or a Florida College System institution board of trustees may negotiate a contract with the local workforce development board for specialized services for participants in the welfare transition program, beyond what is routinely provided for the general public, to be funded by the local workforce development board.

(5) If students who have been determined to be adults with disabilities are enrolled in workforce development programs, the funding formula must provide additional incentives for their achievement of performance outputs and outcomes.

(6) The commissioner shall recommend the level of funding for public school and Florida College System institution adult education within the legislative budget request and make other recommendations and reports considered necessary or required by rules of the State Board of Education.

(7) Buildings, land, equipment, and other property owned by a district school board or Florida College System institution board of trustees may be used for the conduct of the adult education program. Buildings, land, equipment, and other property owned or leased by cooperating public or private agencies, organizations, or institutions may also be used for the purposes of this section.

(8) In order to accelerate the employment of adult education students, students entering adult general education programs after July 1, 2013, must complete the following action-steps-to-employment activities before the completion of the first term:

(a) Identify employment opportunities using market-driven tools.

(b) Create a personalized employment goal.

(c) Conduct a personalized skill and knowledge inventory.

(d) Compare the results of the personalized skill and knowledge inventory with the knowledge and skills needed to attain the personalized employment goal.

(e) Upgrade skills and knowledge needed through adult general education programs and additional educational pursuits based on the personalized employment goal.

The action-steps-to-employment activities may be developed through a blended approach with assistance provided to adult general education students by teachers, employment specialists, guidance counselors, business and industry representatives, and online resources. Students may be directed to online resources and provided information on financial literacy, student financial aid, industry certifications, and occupational services and a listing of job openings.

(9) The State Board of Education may adopt rules necessary for the implementation of this section.

History.—s. 236, ch. 2002-387; s. 95, ch. 2004-357; s. 68, ch. 2011-5; s. 50, ch. 2013-27; s. 12, ch. 2013-51; s. 373, ch. 2014-19; s. 21, ch. 2014-20; s. 52, ch. 2016-216.