Okla. Admin. Code § 210:10-9-2

Current through Vol. 42, No. 8, January 2, 2025

Section 210:10-9-2 - Adult basic education

(a) Programs, services and activities funded in accordance with uses specified in sections 203 and 231 of the Act are designed to expand or improve the quality of adult education programs, including priority programs for educationally disadvantaged adults (including first those adults with less than a 5th-grade achievement level, and second, those adults with a 6th-8th grade achievement level), adults with limited English speaking ability, adults with disabilities, institutionalized adults and GED preparation.

(b) Adult education programs governed by the Act shall make every effort to provide free classes to students. Adult education programs may charge necessary and reasonable fees for consumable materials and work-based classes. Adult education programs that wish to implement fees must develop a fee policy that has been approved by the adult learning center's local governing board. The fee policy must be reasonable and may not restrict access to services.

(c) The Act permits local adult education programs to generate income. The purpose of income is not to make a profit, but rather to expand services. Income and donations received must be reinvested in the adult education program. Any income must be accounted for in records and reported to the state Lifelong Learning office for National Reporting System Financial Reports.

(d) Adult education programs governed by the Act must follow the state adult education Assessment Policy per federal guidelines.

(e) Adult education programs governed by the Act must follow the state adult education Student Goal Setting Policy per federal guidelines.

(f) For each year covered by the plan, the fiscal effort per student from nonfederal sources available for expenditure by the state for adult education, during the second preceding fiscal year must not be less than the fiscal effort per student from nonfederal sources during the third preceding fiscal year in order to meet the maintenance of effort requirement.

(g) Teachers of adult education located in the adult learning centers funded by the state under the Act, shall have a valid Oklahoma Teacher's Certificate. Directors of adult education located in the adult learning centers shall have a valid Oklahoma Teacher's Certificate or a graduate degree.

(h) For fiscal control, the obligation basis of accounting is used; expenditures will be supported by copies of paid claims and invoices and will be audited following accepted auditing procedures.

(i) Federal funds for adult education programs operating under a grant extension will be allocated according to local program data, program performance, and participation in state and national initiatives. Seventy percent of federal funds will be allocated according to the number of students with a pre-assessment and 12 hours of instruction as reported in National Reporting System (NRS) data. Twenty percent of federal funds will be allocated according to whether federal and state indicators of performance were met. Ten percent of funds will be allocated for participation in state and national initiatives. Allocations for the current fiscal year will be based on National Reporting System data from the second preceding fiscal year.

(j) State funds for adult education programs operating under a grant extension will be allocated according to program data. Fifty percent of state funds will be divided evenly among all programs to establish a funding base. The remaining fifty percent of state funds will be allocated according to the number of students enrolled. Allocations for the current fiscal year will be based on National Reporting System data from the second preceding fiscal year.

(k) The SEA and the adult education programs participating in the plan shall enter into cooperative arrangements, when feasible and appropriate, with such entities as other state agencies, community based organizations, community action agencies, career technology schools, churches, businesses, etc. in order to carry out the general purpose of the Act.

(l) The adult education programs will expend 95% of the funding for adult education activities and 5% will be used for administrative costs, however if the administrative cost limits would be insufficient for adequate planning and administration of the program, the state agency may negotiate with the local grant recipient in order to determine an adequate level of funds to be used for noninstructional purposes. Negotiated administrative cost limits are indicated in the Adult Education and Literacy State Plan/State Plan Amendments.

(m) The SEA will provide direct and equitable access to and will review grant proposal applications during an open grant competition. The adult education program will demonstrate that the twelve considerations outlined in Section 231 of the Act are being met in order to be considered for a grant award. The adult education program must assure that the services are coordinated with and are not duplicative services under other Federal, State and local programs. The comments of the adult education program and responses thereto shall be attached to the application when it is forwarded to the state.

(n) Federal funds for new grantees shall be allocated on the basis of an application, budget, and proposed number of students to be served. State funds will be matched on the ratio specified by the Adult Education Act regulations in existence for the current fiscal program year.

(o) The SEA will evaluate grant recipients based on the federal requirements for program evaluation.

(p) Adult education programs will follow all requirements set forth in the SEA Adult Education State Plan and State Plan Amendments.

(q) Adult education programs will meet the state performance measures of pre-/post-assessing 60% of their students and increasing the average number of student contact hours each fiscal year.

(r) Adult education programs will use an SEA-approved management information system to document student enrollment, goals, attendance, educational gains, and other information as required by the National Reporting System (NRS). Programs will update data monthly.

Okla. Admin. Code § 210:10-9-2

Amended at 9 Ok Reg 2355, eff 6-25-92; Amended at 26 Ok Reg 398, eff 12-8-08 (emergency); Amended at 26 Ok Reg 1430, eff 6-11-09