Report of Regents Adult Career and Continuing Education Services (ACCES) Committee to The Board of Regents

Your ACCES Committee held its scheduled meeting on October 20, 2014.  All members were present, with the exception of Regent Cashin and Regent Norwood, who were excused.  Additional members included Regent Bendit, Regent Dawson, Regent Phillips, Regent Tallon, and Regent Young.

MATTERS NOT REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

ACCES Budget Priorities – The Committee was provided with information on the additional $5 million state fund budget request for High School Equivalency (HSE).  This budget request would provide under-educated, out-of-school youth and adults with the skills and credentials required for workforce success, including greater programming for a more rigorous high school equivalency diploma that began administration in 2014.   The Committee was also provided with an update on the federal legislative priority Reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act, which is now referred to as the Workforce Innovation Opportunities Act (WIOA).  ACCES’ Adult Education and Vocational Rehabilitation offices are under this federal statue.  WIOA calls for a single unified State Plan from New York.  Work is currently underway with the Department’s Office of ACCES and the New York State Department of Labor to create a unified state plan and shared data reporting.