Adult education funding receives close vote
INDIANAPOLIS -- Concern over a bill that would restructure state funding of adult education programs ended in a narrow 6-4 vote as it passed through the House Education Committee Wednesday.
House Bill 1117, sponsored by Rep. Chuck Moseley D-Portage, would restructure funding of adult education throughout the state, pinpointing funding of standalone adult education facilities.
Moseley explained that there would be no fiscal impact for Indiana required to meet the tuition support suggested by the bill because the funds were already available to the schools through the annual state budget.
“When you talk about the amount that the school receives for a student … that number includes adult education money,” he said.
Rep. Robert Behning, R-Indianapolis, argued that the bill didn’t take into consideration those colleges that might add additional adult education centers to take advantage of the funding.
Behning said more specific language was needed.
Moseley said the concern from the committee was understandable.
“It really is a concept that I’m not aware has ever come before the committee in the past… [It] shows something that can be revenue neutral and at the same time provides some support for standalone adult centers throughout the state,” he said.
Frank Bush, executive director of the Indiana School Board Association, said the bill would provide consistency among adult education programs across the state by evening out funding.
At present, only a school corporation that conducts a standalone adult education program is entitled to the adult education grant. Charter schools would not be included.
“I can’t say that this would fill the gap [between adult and regular education funding] but it is a large step in the right direction,” Moseley said.
Moseley said he would clarify that only schools that had adult education centers before a specific date would qualify for the funding, thereby eliminating concerns that school districts going forward could benefit by opening up an adult education center.
