SENATE AMENDED
PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 105, 1139 PRINTER'S NO. 3327
No. 98 Session of 1989
INTRODUCED BY ROBBINS, ITKIN, PITTS, LETTERMAN, FARGO, CARLSON,
ANGSTADT, HERSHEY, JOHNSON, BOYES, GEIST, JAROLIN, MAIALE,
GALLEN, HERMAN, FREIND, S. H. SMITH, ARGALL, DEMPSEY, NAHILL,
BUNT, FOX, TIGUE, KENNEY, JOSEPHS, BELFANTI, LEH, GIGLIOTTI,
DIETTERICK, MERRY, NOYE, DORR, BORTNER, DISTLER, MARKOSEK,
DeLUCA, MICHLOVIC, JADLOWIEC, FARMER, COLAFELLA, CAWLEY,
MILLER, WILLIAMS, MICOZZIE, CHADWICK, TELEK, HECKLER,
E. Z. TAYLOR, OLASZ, STAIRS, MORRIS, BILLOW, RITTER, CESSAR,
HESS, J. TAYLOR, THOMAS, D. W. SNYDER, ALLEN, FLICK, KASUNIC,
VEON, MAINE, HUGHES AND RUDY, JANUARY 24, 1989
SENATOR HESS, EDUCATION, IN SENATE, AS AMENDED, APRIL 3, 1990
AN ACT
1 Amending the act of October 22, 1986 (P.L.1452, No.143),
2 entitled "An act expanding the available adult basic
3 education programs and the duties of the Department of
4 Education; making an appropriation; and making a partial
5 repeal," further providing for eligibility for adult literacy <--
6 education. PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AND POWERS AND <--
7 DUTIES OF A LITERACY COUNCIL.
8 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
9 hereby enacts as follows:
10 Section 1. The definition of "eligible adult" in section <--
11 SECTION 3 of the act of October 22, 1986 (P.L.1452, No.143), <--
12 known as the Adult Literacy Act, is amended BY ADDING A <--
13 DEFINITION to read:
14 Section 3. Definitions.
15 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
16 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
1 context clearly indicates otherwise:
2 * * * <--
3 "Eligible adult." A person who meets the following criteria:
4 (1) Is at least 17 years of age.
5 (2) Is a resident of this Commonwealth.
6 (3) [Does not hold a high school diploma or its
7 equivalent.
8 (4)] Is not currently enrolled in a public or private
9 secondary or postsecondary school.
10 * * *
11 Section 2. Section 4 of the act is amended to read:
12 Section 4. Grant program.
13 (a) Establishment.--There is hereby established within the
14 department an adult literacy education grant program. Adult
15 literacy education providers may apply to the department for
16 grants to provide the following services:
17 (1) Adult literacy education programs, including
18 salaries, wages, fringe benefits, books and other
19 instructional materials.
20 (2) Training for volunteer adult literacy education
21 instructors.
22 (3) Administration of adult literacy education programs.
23 (4) Support services necessary to enable individuals to
24 participate in and benefit from the program.
25 (5) Outreach activities to enroll eligible adults and to
26 recruit volunteer tutors and instructors.
27 (b) Procedures, rules and forms.--The secretary shall adopt
28 such procedures, rules and forms as may be necessary to
29 implement this grant program. Applications shall be made to the
30 department in such form and at such time as the secretary may
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1 prescribe. Funds received under this program may be used in
2 conjunction with funds received from any other public or private
3 source.
4 (c) Priorities for funding.--The secretary shall consider,
5 but not be limited to, the following factors when evaluating
6 proposals for adult literacy education programs:
7 (1) [Number] Percentage of eligible adults expected to
8 be enrolled [in classes] for instruction who are receiving
9 either State or Federal public assistance, or who are
10 unemployed workers or displaced homemakers.
11 (2) [Number] Percentage of eligible adults in any local
12 area who do not have certificates of graduation from a
13 secondary school and who are not currently enrolled in adult
14 literacy education programs.
15 (3) [Number] Percentage of eligible adults expected to
16 be enrolled who are members of minority groups.
17 (4) [Number] Percentage of eligible adults with less
18 than a fifth grade reading level to be served.
19 [(5) The provision of client outreach and referral
20 activities that are coordinated with other adult education
21 and literacy programs, county assistance offices, social
22 service agencies, offices of employment security, Job
23 Training Partnership Act programs and other community groups
24 or agencies that provide services and assistance to persons
25 in need of basic literacy skills.]
26 Section 3. The act is amended by adding a section to read:
27 Section 4.1. Duty of department.
28 The department shall provide client outreach and referral
29 activities that are coordinated with other adult education and
30 literacy programs, county assistance offices, social service
19890H0098B3327 - 3 -
1 agencies, offices of employment security, Job Training
2 Partnership Act programs and other community groups or agencies
3 that provide services and assistance to persons in need of basic
4 literacy skills.
5 Section 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
6 * * * <--
7 "COUNCIL." THE COMMONWEALTH LITERACY COUNCIL ESTABLISHED
8 UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 4.1.
9 * * *
10 SECTION 2. THE ACT IS AMENDED BY ADDING A SECTION TO READ:
11 SECTION 4.1. COMMONWEALTH LITERACY COUNCIL.
12 (A) ESTABLISHMENT.--THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED THE
13 COMMONWEALTH LITERACY COUNCIL. THE COUNCIL SHALL CONSIST OF
14 SEVEN MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR WITH THE ADVICE AND
15 CONSENT OF A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS ELECTED TO THE SENATE.
16 EXCEPT FOR THE TERMS OF INITIAL MEMBERS WHICH SHALL BE STAGGERED
17 BY THE GOVERNOR, THE TERM OF OFFICE OF OTHER MEMBERS OF THE
18 COUNCIL SHALL BE FOUR YEARS. VACANCIES SHALL BE FILLED FOR AN
19 UNEXPIRED TERM IN THE SAME MANNER AS ORIGINAL APPOINTMENTS. NO
20 PERSON SHALL SERVE FOR MORE THAN TWO CONSECUTIVE TERMS AS A
21 MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL. THE GOVERNOR MAY REMOVE ANY MEMBER FROM
22 THE COUNCIL FOR MISCONDUCT OR MALFEASANCE IN OFFICE, INCAPACITY
23 OR NEGLECT OF DUTY. ALL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL SHALL BE
24 RESIDENTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH.
25 (B) DUTIES.--
26 (1) THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL SHALL ESTABLISH A FIVE-
27 YEAR PLAN OF GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE COMMONWEALTH IN THE
28 AREA OF ADULT LITERACY, WITH A FOCUS ON BASIC SKILLS,
29 WORKPLACE LITERACY AND A FUNDAMENTAL KNOWLEDGE BASE.
30 (2) THE COUNCIL SHALL ADVISE THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION,
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1 THE SECRETARY OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY, THE SECRETARY OF PUBLIC
2 WELFARE AND THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE REGARDING APPROPRIATE
3 LITERACY PROGRAMS WHICH WOULD MEET THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
4 WHICH HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED.
5 (3) THE COUNCIL SHALL REVIEW AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO
6 THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION ON APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS, WHICH
7 RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, FACTORS
8 WHICH SUPPORT THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ESTABLISHED BY THE
9 COUNCIL FOR ADULT LITERACY PROGRAMS.
10 (C) ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE.--ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE TO
11 THE COMMONWEALTH LITERACY COUNCIL SHALL BE PROVIDED BY THE
12 BUREAU OF ADULT BASIC EDUCATION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
13 SECTION 3. THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
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