BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 907
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Date of Hearing: April 8, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Patrick O'Donnell, Chair
AB 907
(Burke) - As Amended March 26, 2015
[Note: This bill is doubled referred to the Assembly Committee
on Higher Education and will be heard as it relates to issues
under its jurisdiction.]
SUBJECT: Career training: adult students
SUMMARY: Authorizes the Superintendent of Public Instruction
(SPI) to certify specified career training programs for the
purpose of participating in specified federal student financial
assistance programs. Specifically, this bill:
1)Makes findings and declarations regarding the value of career
training for adults and the need for the bill.
2)Authorizes the SPI to certify, by name, any regional
occupational center or program (ROC/P), county office of
education (COE), 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
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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.
3)Requires an ROC/P, COE, or adult education program applying
for certification to comply with both of the following:
a) Satisfy all applicable eligibility requirements
specified in federal rulemaking; and
b) Apply in writing to the SPI as an individual ROC/P,
COE, or adult education program.
4)Authorizes any person to file a complaint under the Uniform
Complaint Procedures (UCPs) regarding an alleged violation by
a local agency of federal or state law governing adult
education programs or ROC/Ps, including allegations of
unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or
bullying, and requires the SPI to adopt regulations to
implement this authorization.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown
COMMENTS: Title IV of the federal Higher Education Act of 1965
provides financial aid for adult learners in post-secondary
programs, including programs that provide job or career training
for needy adults. In California these programs have been
provided by K-12 adult education programs, ROC/Ps, and COEs. If
the programs meet necessary federal requirements, then the
student they enroll are entitled to federal financial aid that
covers all costs.
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Recent revisions to federal regulations require a state agency
that has oversight over the entities providing to the training
to certify each provider in order for their adult students to be
eligible for federal financial aid. In California no state
agency has the statutory authority to provide the
federally-required certification.
This bill authorizes the SPI to provide the needed
certification. According to the author's office, this meets the
requirements of the revised federal regulations.
The revised federal regulations also require that a state-level
complaint process be available for any federal financial aid
recipients. The existing UCP already is available to students
enrolled in K-12 adult education programs and ROC/Ps, but not in
COE programs. This bill extends the UCP to financial aid
recipients enrolled in COE programs.
Arguments in support. Supporters argue that this bill is needed
to prevent the loss of federal financial aid to thousands of
adult students in California. Without this aid, which comes
exclusively from federal funds, students may be forced to drop
out of job and career training programs that have been effective
in preparing needy adults for employment.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
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Association of California School Administrators
Baldy View Regional Occupational Program
Butte County Regional Occupational Program
California Association of Regional Occupational Centers and
Programs
California Federation of Teachers
California Manufacturers & Technology Association
Colton Redlands Yucaipa Regional Occupational Program
East San Gabriel Valley Regional Occupational Program
La Puente Valley Regional Occupational Program
Los Angeles County Office of Education
Riverside County Superintendent of Schools
San Joaquin County Office of Education
Southern California Regional Occupational Center
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Opposition
None received
Analysis Prepared by:Rick Pratt / ED. / (916) 319-2087