Debra Jones with the California Department of Education’s Adult Education Office says the department recognizes the uncertainties the new state budget has placed on adult education and pledged her office’s commitment to providing the support and technical assistance adult educators will need as they weather the current situation.
“In order for you to plan for the future it is necessary to have accurate information,” Jones wrote in a letter sent to adult education directors statewide. “Right now there is so much that is unknown and many questions will require a fiscal and legal opinion. We will provide information to you as we receive it.”
One known factor is that 2007-08 will be the base year used to determine the budget for this year and every year through 2012-13 for adult education and regional occupational centers and programs.
“The amount will be determined by the revenue that was generated in 2007-08, minus approximately 15.4 percent for 2008-09, and again reduced by approximately 4.9 percent in 2009-10. The exact percentage of the reductions is not yet known,” Jones said.
She noted that her office is working with CDE fiscal services to recommend how the reduction can be taken from the average daily attendance cap instead of from the base revenue limit.
“Although the amount of the reduction would be the same, it is important that we preserve the capacity of the adult education system to best serve students in the future,” Jones said. “For now, it has not been determined if the reduction will come from ADA cap or base revenue limit.
“We also know that each district will have maximum flexibility to administer an adult education program, and all programs will be deemed compliant through 2012-13,” Jones said. “There are some specific exceptions surrounding this, and the CDE’s legal office will provide more information. Many questions remain including those that address offering services outside the district boundaries, California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CALWorks) allocations, and charging for English as a Second Language, Adult Basic Education, and Adult Secondary Education/General Educational Development classes.”
Reserves or ending year balances for adult education are not subject to budget flexibility, and cannot be swept. Also, the Workforce Investment Act Title 2 federal funds are not included in the flexibility. Those funds must be used for adult education programs, and the current accountability regulations remain in place.
“We recognize the need to have a single location to pose questions, to obtain current data on the changes that local agencies are experiencing, and to report the changes to your agency,” Jones said. “To that end, the CDE Adult Education Office, along with the Outreach and Technical Assistance Network and field members, are developing an online resource site. Our goal is to have it functioning this week and details will be forthcoming.”
ACSA encourages members to submit questions, input or concerns to Debra Jones, administrator, CDE Adult Education Office. It is through such feedback from the field that ACSA hopes answers will be discovered for the entire adult education and ROC/P community. Jones can be reached at (916) 323-5074 or e-mail djones@cde.ca.gov.