BILL ANALYSIS �
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Carol Liu, Chair
2013-2014 Regular Session
BILL NO: AB 684
AUTHOR: Medina
AMENDED: May 24, 2013
FISCAL COMM: Yes HEARING DATE: July 3, 2013
URGENCY: No CONSULTANT:Lenin Del Castillo
SUBJECT : General Educational Development test preparation.
SUMMARY
This bill adds an uncodified section of law to authorize the
California Workforce Investment Board (CWIB) to provide
grants, from state and federal funds available for this
purpose, to accredited institutions that provide instruction
to persons who are preparing for the General Educational
Development (GED) test.
BACKGROUND
Existing law requires the CWIB to assist the Governor in the
development, oversight, and continuous improvement of
California's workforce investment system (Unemployment
Insurance Code � 14010).
Existing law provides that the CWIB, in collaboration with
state and local partners, shall develop a strategic workforce
plan to serve as a framework for the development of public
policy, fiscal investment, workforce education, and training
programs to address the state's economic, demographic, and
workforce needs. The plan shall be updated at least every
five years. (Unemployment Insurance Code � 14020)
Existing law provides that the CWIB, in coordination with the
department, shall participate in the development of request
for proposal language and the evaluation of proposals for
determining grant allocations of the funds.
(Unemployment Insurance Code � 14022)
Existing law requires the State Superintendent of Public
Instruction to issue a California high school equivalency
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certificate to any person who has not completed high school
and who meets a variety of requirements, including
successfully passing the GED (Education Code � 51420).
Existing law provides for a variety of student financial aid
programs including the Cal Grant program, the California
Community Colleges Board of Governors fee waiver, and other
state-administered financial aid programs. Participation in
these programs is typically needs-based and limited to
California residents.
ANALYSIS
This bill :
1) Adds findings and declarations of the Legislature
that it is important to increase the number of
Californians who obtain a marketable and
industry-recognized credential or degree and to advance
the education and training of these students and workers
so that they can keep pace with the education and skill
needs of the state, its regional economies, and leading
industry sectors.
2) Authorizes the California Workforce Investment Board
(CWIB) to provide grants, from state and federal that
are available to the CWIB for this purpose, to
accredited institutions that provide instruction to
persons who are preparing for the General Educational
Development (GED) test and that apply to the CWIB to
receive grants pursuant to this section. If the CWIB
identifies funds available for grants, it shall develop
and adopt regulations and procedures for the process of
receiving and evaluating applications for grants under
this section.
STAFF COMMENTS
Need for the bill : According to the author's office, until
recently, students who wanted to attend college but didn't
have a high school diploma or pass the GED used to be able to
access federal grants and loans by either taking the Ability
To Benefit (ATB) test or successfully earning six credits.
However, in December 2011, Congress eliminated the ATB test
thereby reducing an option for these low-income persons to
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access federal financial aid and pay for the cost of tuition.
This includes the loss of eligibility for federal Pell
Grants for many that have dropped out of high school that are
now interested in enrolling and preparing to take the GED
test in an accredited post-secondary training center and
complete a vocational training program. According to the
author, the allocation of state Workforce Investment Act
funds for adults pursuing a GED while attending accredited
training education centers will facilitate the ability of
them to pass the GED, which would subsequently qualify them
for federal financial aid. This would allow them to pursue
workforce and training development programs and improve their
job prospects.
SUPPORT
American Career College/West Coast University
California Federation of Teachers
OPPOSITION
None on file.