Amended in Assembly March 26, 2015

California Legislature—2015–16 Regular Session

Assembly Bill No. 907

Introduced by Assembly Member Burke

February 26, 2015

An act to begin insert add Section 52334.7 to the Education Code, end insert relating to career technical education.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 907, as amended, Burke. Career training: adult students.

Existing law authorizes various career technical education programs, including regional occupational centers and programs, specialized secondary programs, partnership academies, and agricultural career technical education programs.

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This bill would make legislative findings regarding education for adult students, and would state the Legislature’s support for adult students’ access to career training resources, including student financial aid.

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The bill would authorize the Superintendent of Public Instruction to certify, by name, each regional occupational center or program, county office of education, or adult education program, that provides a program of training to prepare adult students for employment in a recognized occupation, to legally authorize the center, program, or office to provide an educational program beyond secondary education, as specified.

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Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  begin delete no end delete begin insert yes end insert . State-mandated local program: no.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.  

The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:

(a) Career training for adults is an important part of workforce
and economic development in California.

(b) Many of California’s neediest adult students require financial
aid to support their career training.

(c) Historically, those adult students have had access to federal
financial aid under Title IV of the federal Elementary and
Secondary Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 6301 et seq.).

(d) Recent revisions in federal regulations governing Title IV
of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (20 U.S.C.
Sec. 6301 et seq.) have eliminated the eligibility for financial aid
for adult students in many of California’s career training programs
operated by local educational agencies, even though adults in those
programs have been historically eligible.

(e) The Legislature supports:

(1) Adult students’ access to career training programs that will
improve or expand their job skills and employability.

(2) Adult students’ access to federal financial aid that may be
used for career training programs and services.

(3) Providers of career training programs for adult students, as
those providers work to satisfy federal requirements necessary to
establish federal financial aid eligibility for those adult students.

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begin insert SEC. 2. end insert   

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begin insert Section 52334.7 is added to the end insert begin insert Education Code end insert begin insert , to
read: end insert

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begin insert 52334.7. end insert   

(a) The Superintendent may certify, by name, any
regional occupational center or program, county office of
education, or adult education program, that provides a program
of training to prepare adult students for gainful employment in a
recognized occupation, to legally authorize the center, program,
or office to provide an educational program beyond secondary
education, including an education program that leads to a degree
or certificate, for purposes of the center, program, or office
participating in any student financial assistance program
authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as
amended.

(b) A regional occupational center or program, county office
of education, or adult education program applying for certification
pursuant to subdivision (a) shall comply with both of the following:

(1) Satisfy all applicable eligibility requirements specified in
federal rulemaking pursuant to Sections 600.6, 600.7, and 600.9
of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, other than the
authorization provided for in subdivision (a).

(2) Apply in writing to the Superintendent, as an individual
center, program, or office, to be considered for certification
pursuant to subdivision (a).

(c) Any person may file a complaint under the Uniform
Complaint Procedures, as set forth in Title 5 of the California
Code of Regulations, regarding an alleged violation by a local
agency of federal or state law or regulations governing adult
education programs or regional occupational centers and
programs, including allegations of unlawful discrimination,
harassment, intimidation, or bullying.

(d) The Superintendent shall adopt regulations that authorize
any person to file a complaint under the Uniform Complaint
Procedures, as set forth in Title 5 of the California Code of
Regulations, regarding an alleged violation by a county office of
education of federal or state law or regulations governing that
county office’s participation in any student financial assistance
program authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act of
1965, as amended, including allegations of unlawful
discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying.

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