First Regular Session
Sixty-second General Assembly
LLS NO. 99-0587.01 Julie Pelegrin HOUSE BILL 99-1262
STATE OF COLORADO
BY REPRESENTATIVES Coleman and Keller;
also SENATORS Pascoe.
EDUCATION
A BILL FOR AN ACT
101 CONCERNING CREATION OF THE EDUCATING WORK FORCE 2000 PROGRAM.
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not necessarily reflect any amendments that may be subsequently
adopted.)
Creates the educating work force 2000 program to provide work
force basic skills education projects and adult basic education. Charges
the division of adult education in the department of education and the
state board for community colleges and occupational education with
administration of the program, in cooperation with the departments of
human services and labor and employment.
Specifies basic criteria for work force basic skills education
projects. Instructs the state board for community colleges and
occupational education to select work force basic skills education projects
provided by community colleges, area vocational schools, junior colleges,
or community-based organizations to receive funding under the program.
Requires the state board for community colleges and occupational
education to adopt rules specifying application procedures, criteria for
selecting projects, and reporting requirements. Specifies the basic criteria
for adult basic education projects. Instructs the state board of education
to adopt rules specifying the application procedure, criteria for selecting
projects, and reporting requirements. Provides that additional adult basic
education projects may be administered through the named departments.
Specifies that the educating work force 2000 program shall be
funded through appropriations and through any public or private grants,
donations, gifts, or contributions received. On or before February 1,
2003, requires the state board for community colleges and occupational
education and the division of adult education to submit to the education
committees of the house of representatives and the senate and the joint
budget committee a report concerning the success of the educating work
[ ] denotes HOUSE amendment. { } denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters indicate new material to be added to existing statute.
Dashes through the words indicate material to be deleted from existing statute.
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force 2000 program.
Repeals the educating work force 2000 program, effective July 1,
2003.
Makes conforming amendments.
1 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
2 SECTION 1. Part 1 of article 2 of title 22, Colorado Revised
3 Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION to
4 read:
5 22-2-122. Department of education - division of adult education
6 - state board for community colleges and occupational education -
7 educating work force 2000 program - repeal. (1) THIS SECTION SHALL
8 BE KNOWN AND MAY BE CITED AS THE "EDUCATING WORK FORCE 2000
9 ACT".
10 (2) (a) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HEREBY FINDS THAT:
11 (I) THERE ARE A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF ADULTS IN THIS STATE
12 WHOSE EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ARE SEVERELY
13 RESTRICTED BECAUSE THEY LACK THE BASIC SKILLS NECESSARY FOR FULL
14 PARTICIPATION IN THE STATE'S ECONOMIC, CIVIC, AND SOCIAL STRUCTURE;
15 (II) BASIC SKILLS TRAINING FOR SPECIFIC JOBS IS NECESSARY TO
16 PROVIDE UNEMPLOYED AND UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS WITH TRAINING
17 THAT WILL ENABLE THEM TO COMPETE FOR JOBS WITH THE BASIC SKILLS
18 NECESSARY TO INCREASE THEIR PRODUCTIVITY, INCREASE THEIR WAGES,
19 AND REDUCE THEIR NEED FOR PUBLIC SUPPORT;
20 (III) ILLITERACY IS OFTEN PASSED FROM ONE GENERATION TO THE
21 NEXT, AND CHILDREN WHO CANNOT READ ARE OFTEN REARED BY PARENTS,
22 WHETHER WORKING OR NONWORKING, WHO CANNOT READ;
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1 (IV) THE STATE'S ECONOMIC HEALTH AND VITALITY DEPEND IN
2 LARGE MEASURE ON THE AVAILABILITY OF A SKILLED LABOR FORCE THAT
3 CAN HELP ENSURE THAT BUSINESSES ARE PROFITABLE AND COMPETITIVE.
4 (b) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THEREFORE DECLARES THAT THE
5 EDUCATING WORK FORCE 2000 PROGRAM IS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT
6 RESIDENTS IN THIS STATE HAVE THE BASIC SKILLS THEY NEED TO BE
7 PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY AND THAT THE STATE HAS A
8 SUFFICIENTLY SKILLED WORK FORCE TO SUPPORT CONTINUED ECONOMIC
9 DEVELOPMENT AND PROSPERITY IN THE STATE.
10 (3) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT
11 OTHERWISE REQUIRES:
12 (a) "ADULT" MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL SIXTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR
13 OLDER WHO IS NOT ENROLLED IN A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SECONDARY
14 EDUCATION PROGRAM.
15 (b) "ADULT BASIC EDUCATION PROJECT" MEANS A PROGRAM THAT
16 PROVIDES INSTRUCTION TO ASSIST ADULT STUDENTS IN DEVELOPING SUCH
17 SKILLS AS READING, LISTENING, SPEAKING, WRITING, MATHEMATICS,
18 COMPUTER LITERACY, CRITICAL THINKING, PROBLEM SOLVING, AND OTHER
19 IDENTIFIED COMMUNICATION AND COMPUTATIONAL COMPETENCIES THAT
20 ENABLE THE ADULT STUDENT TO SOLVE PROBLEMS AND FUNCTION
21 EFFECTIVELY IN THE WORK PLACE, THE FAMILY, AND THE COMMUNITY.
22 (c) "DIVISION" MEANS THE DIVISION OF ADULT EDUCATION IN THE
23 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
24 (d) "PROGRAM" MEANS THE EDUCATING WORK FORCE 2000
25 PROGRAM CREATED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION.
26 (e) "STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND
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1 OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION" MEANS THE STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY
2 COLLEGES AND OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION CREATED IN SECTION
3 23-60-104, C.R.S.
4 (f) "WORK FORCE BASIC SKILLS EDUCATION PROJECT" MEANS A
5 PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES INSTRUCTION AND PREPARATION OF ADULT
6 STUDENTS WHO WILL BE OR WHO ALREADY ARE EMPLOYED TO PROVIDE
7 THEM WITH THE NECESSARY BASIC SKILLS TO SECURE EMPLOYMENT AND
8 TO REMAIN VALUABLE EMPLOYEES. CURRICULUM TOPICS INCLUDE WORK
9 ETHIC THEMES, JOB READINESS, JOB RETENTION, COMMUNICATION SKILLS,
10 AND INDUSTRY-RELATED BASIC SKILLS THAT ENABLE ADULT STUDENTS TO
11 ADAPT TO NEW TECHNOLOGY, PARTICIPATE IN TRAINING, AND ADAPT TO
12 NEW WORK PLACE ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS.
13 (4) THERE IS HEREBY CREATED THE EDUCATING WORK FORCE 2000
14 PROGRAM WITHIN THE DIVISION. THE PROGRAM SHALL BE OPERATED AS
15 A JOINT EFFORT BETWEEN THE STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES
16 AND OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION AND THE DIVISION AND IN COOPERATION
17 WITH THE DEPARTMENTS OF HUMAN SERVICES AND LABOR AND
18 EMPLOYMENT. THE PROGRAM SHALL SUPPORT PROVISION OF WORK FORCE
19 BASIC SKILLS EDUCATION SERVICES THROUGH THE STATE BOARD FOR
20 COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION AND
21 COMMUNITY-BASED ADULT BASIC EDUCATION SERVICES THROUGH THE
22 DIVISION.
23 (5) (a) THE STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND
24 OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION SHALL OVERSEE THE ALLOCATION OF
25 PROGRAM FUNDS TO WORK FORCE BASIC SKILLS EDUCATION PROJECTS.
26 THE STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND OCCUPATIONAL
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1 EDUCATION MAY IDENTIFY AND ALLOCATE FUNDING TO ANY ELIGIBLE
2 WORK FORCE BASIC SKILLS EDUCATION PROJECT PROVIDED BY A
3 COMMUNITY COLLEGE OR AN AREA VOCATIONAL SCHOOL WITHIN THE
4 STATE SYSTEM OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION,
5 A LOCAL JUNIOR COLLEGE, OR A COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION. TO
6 BE ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING THROUGH THE PROGRAM, A WORK FORCE BASIC
7 SKILLS EDUCATION PROJECT, AT A MINIMUM, SHALL PROVIDE:
8 (I) (A) BASIC SKILLS PRE-EMPLOYMENT TRAINING OR BASIC SKILLS
9 TRAINING FOR WORKERS UPON FIRST BEING HIRED; OR
10 (B) BASIC SKILLS UPGRADE TRAINING OR RETRAINING OF WORKERS
11 IN SITUATIONS WHERE BASIC SKILLS TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR
12 CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT AND TO MINIMIZE WORKER DISLOCATION; AND
13 (II) BASIC SKILLS TRAINING AT AN EMPLOYER'S PLACE OF BUSINESS
14 OR IN SOME OTHER LOCATION IDENTIFIED BY THE EMPLOYER.
15 (b) IN OVERSEEING THE ALLOCATION OF PROGRAM FUNDS TO WORK
16 FORCE BASIC SKILLS EDUCATION PROJECTS, THE STATE BOARD FOR
17 COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION SHALL ADOPT
18 RULES SPECIFYING, AT A MINIMUM:
19 (I) THE PROCEDURE BY WHICH PUBLIC OR PRIVATE ENTITIES MAY
20 APPLY TO THE STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND
21 OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION FOR GRANTS TO FUND WORK FORCE BASIC
22 SKILLS EDUCATION PROJECTS;
23 (II) THE CRITERIA FOR AWARDING GRANTS THROUGH THE
24 PROGRAM; AND
25 (III) THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS TO BE MET BY EACH WORK
26 FORCE BASIC SKILLS EDUCATION PROJECT THAT RECEIVES FUNDING.
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1 (6) THE ADULT BASIC EDUCATION PROJECTS FUNDED THROUGH THE
2 PROGRAM SHALL BE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE BASIC SKILLS EDUCATION IN
3 THE AREAS OF MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER LITERACY AND IN THE AREAS
4 OF READING AND WRITING THROUGH THE TEACHING OF PROPER GRAMMAR,
5 SPELLING, VOCABULARY, AND OTHER NECESSARY SKILLS IN ORDER THAT
6 ADULT STUDENTS MAY ATTAIN PROFICIENCY IN THE USAGE AND
7 UNDERSTANDING OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. THE ADULT BASIC
8 EDUCATION PROJECTS SHALL BE DESIGNED TO SERVE ADULTS WHO READ
9 BELOW A NINTH-GRADE LEVEL. THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL
10 ADOPT RULES SPECIFYING, AT A MINIMUM:
11 (a) THE PROCEDURE BY WHICH PUBLIC OR PRIVATE ENTITIES MAY
12 APPLY TO THE DIVISION FOR GRANTS TO FUND ADULT BASIC EDUCATION
13 PROJECTS;
14 (b) THE CRITERIA FOR AWARDING GRANTS THROUGH THE
15 PROGRAM; AND
16 (c) THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS TO BE MET BY EACH PROJECT
17 THAT RECEIVES FUNDING.
18 (7) IN ADDITION TO THE PROJECTS SPECIFIED IN SUBSECTIONS (5)
19 AND (6) OF THIS SECTION, THE STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES
20 AND OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION AND THE DIVISION MAY COOPERATE WITH
21 THE DEPARTMENTS OF HUMAN SERVICES AND LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT IN
22 ADMINISTERING OTHER ADULT BASIC EDUCATION PROJECTS THAT MEET THE
23 GOALS SPECIFIED IN SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION.
24 (8) THE PROGRAM SHALL BE FUNDED BY ANY APPROPRIATIONS OR
25 PUBLIC OR PRIVATE GRANTS, DONATIONS, GIFTS, OR CONTRIBUTIONS
26 RECEIVED FOR SUCH PURPOSE BY THE STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY
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1 COLLEGES AND OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION, THE DIVISION, THE
2 DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, OR THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND
3 EMPLOYMENT. THE STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND
4 OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION, THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND THE
5 DEPARTMENTS OF HUMAN SERVICES AND LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT ARE
6 AUTHORIZED TO SOLICIT AND ACCEPT ANY GRANTS, DONATIONS, GIFTS, OR
7 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OR ANY PRIVATE
8 SOURCE FOR USE BY THE PROGRAM.
9 (9) ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 1, 2003, THE STATE BOARD FOR
10 COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION AND THE DIVISION
11 SHALL JOINTLY SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE EDUCATION COMMITTEES OF THE
12 SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND TO THE JOINT BUDGET
13 COMMITTEE THAT CONTAINS INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SUCCESS OF
14 THE PROJECTS FUNDED THROUGH THE PROGRAM. AT A MINIMUM, THE
15 REPORT SHALL INCLUDE:
16 (a) THE NAME AND A DESCRIPTION OF EACH WORK FORCE BASIC
17 SKILLS EDUCATION PROJECT AND ADULT BASIC EDUCATION PROJECT THAT
18 RECEIVED FUNDING THROUGH THE PROGRAM;
19 (b) THE NUMBER OF PERSONS SERVED THROUGH EACH WORK
20 FORCE BASIC SKILLS EDUCATION PROJECT AND ADULT BASIC EDUCATION
21 PROJECT AND THE TYPES OF SERVICES PROVIDED;
22 (c) THE METHODS AND STANDARDS USED TO MEASURE THE
23 SUCCESS OF EACH WORK FORCE BASIC SKILLS EDUCATION PROJECT AND
24 ADULT BASIC EDUCATION PROJECT THAT RECEIVED FUNDING THROUGH THE
25 PROGRAM; AND
26 (d) THE SUCCESS OF EACH WORK FORCE BASIC SKILLS EDUCATION
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1 PROJECT AND ADULT BASIC EDUCATION PROJECT AND THE OVERALL
2 SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM IN RAISING THE BASIC SKILL LEVEL OF THE
3 STATE'S WORK FORCE AND IN PROVIDING BASIC SKILLS EDUCATION TO
4 ADULTS.
5 (10) THIS SECTION IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2003.
6 SECTION 2. Part 2 of article 60 of title 23, Colorado Revised
7 Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION to
8 read:
9 23-60-203.5. Duties of board with respect to the educating
10 work force 2000 program - repeal. (1) THE BOARD SHALL OPERATE THE
11 EDUCATING WORK FORCE 2000 PROGRAM CREATED IN SECTION 22-2-122,
12 C.R.S., JOINTLY WITH THE DIVISION OF ADULT EDUCATION IN THE
13 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. IN OPERATING THE PROGRAM, THE BOARD
14 SHALL OVERSEE THE ALLOCATION OF PROGRAM FUNDS TO WORK FORCE
15 BASIC SKILLS EDUCATION PROJECTS AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 22-2-122 (5),
16 C.R.S., AND ADOPT RULES AS SPECIFIED IN SAID SECTION. IN ADDITION,
17 THE BOARD MAY COOPERATE WITH THE DEPARTMENTS OF HUMAN
18 SERVICES AND LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT IN ADMINISTERING OTHER ADULT
19 BASIC EDUCATION PROJECTS, AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 22-2-122 (7),
20 C.R.S.
21 (2) THE EDUCATING WORK FORCE 2000 PROGRAM SHALL BE
22 FUNDED AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 22-2-122 (8), C.R.S. THE BOARD IS
23 AUTHORIZED TO REQUEST STATE APPROPRIATIONS AND TO SOLICIT AND
24 ACCEPT ANY APPROPRIATIONS, GRANTS, DONATIONS, GIFTS, OR
25 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OR ANY PRIVATE
26 SOURCE FOR USE BY THE EDUCATING WORK FORCE 2000 PROGRAM AS
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1 PROVIDED IN SAID SECTION.
2 (3) ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 1, 2003, THE BOARD, JOINTLY WITH
3 THE DIVISION OF ADULT EDUCATION, SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE
4 EDUCATION COMMITTEES OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF
5 REPRESENTATIVES AND TO THE JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE CONCERNING
6 THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECTS FUNDED THROUGH THE EDUCATING WORK
7 FORCE 2000 PROGRAM, AS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 22-2-122 (9), C.R.S.
8 (4) THIS SECTION IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2003.
9 SECTION 3. 8-71-102, Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended
10 to read:
11 8-71-102. Functions of the division - director - repeal. (1) The
12 functions of the division of employment and training shall comprise all
13 administrative functions of the state in relation to the administration of
14 articles 70 to 82 of this title. The powers, duties, and functions of the
15 director of the division prescribed under articles 70 to 82 of this title,
16 including rule-making, regulation, licensing, promulgation of rules, rates,
17 regulations, and standards, and the rendering of findings, orders, and
18 adjudications, shall be performed under the direction and supervision of
19 the executive director of the department of labor and employment, as
20 prescribed by section 24-1-105 (4), C.R.S.
21 (2) (a) IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER DUTIES PRESCRIBED BY LAW,
22 THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION HAS THE DUTY AND THE POWER TO
23 COOPERATE WITH THE STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND
24 OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION AND THE DIVISION OF ADULT EDUCATION IN
25 THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IN ADMINISTERING THE EDUCATING
26 WORK FORCE 2000 PROGRAM PURSUANT TO SECTION 22-2-122, C.R.S.
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1 (b) THIS SUBSECTION (2) IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2003.
2 SECTION 4. 26-1-111 (2), Colorado Revised Statutes, is
3 amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW PARAGRAPH to read:
4 26-1-111. Activities of the state department under the
5 supervision of the executive director - repeal. (2) The state
6 department, under the supervision of the executive director, shall:
7 (t) (I) COOPERATE WITH THE STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY
8 COLLEGES AND OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION AND THE DIVISION OF ADULT
9 EDUCATION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IN ADMINISTERING THE
10 EDUCATING WORK FORCE 2000 PROGRAM PURSUANT TO SECTION 22-2-122,
11 C.R.S.
12 (II) THIS PARAGRAPH (t) IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2003.
13 SECTION 5. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds,
14 determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
15 preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.