(110 ILCS 805/2-12.5)

Sec. 2-12.5. Classes for adults and youths whose schooling has been interrupted.

(a) The State Board shall reimburse adult education providers from funds appropriated for approved expenses that are established and determined by the State Board in compliance with the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and other State and federal requirements. The State Board shall establish standards to determine the cost of instruction, including any other authorized incidental costs, which shall serve as the basis of State reimbursement in accordance with the provisions of this Section. In the approval of programs and the determination of the cost of instruction, the State Board shall provide for the maximum utilization of federal and State funds for those programs. The State Board shall also provide for:

(1) the development of an index of need for program planning and for area funding allocations, as defined by the State Board;

(2) the method for calculating hours of instruction, as defined by the State Board, claimable for reimbursement and a method to phase in the calculation and for adjusting the calculations in cases in which the services of a program are interrupted due to circumstances beyond the control of the program provider;

(3) a plan for the reallocation of funds to increase the amount allocated for grants based upon program performance; and

(4) the development of standards, programs, and guidelines consistent with the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

(b) For adult education instruction as listed under subdivision (o) of Section 2-12, the maximum generation rate for reimbursement per credit hour or per unit of instruction shall be equal to the community college system reimbursement rate for adult education divided by one-third.

(c) Upon its annual approval, the State Board shall provide grants to eligible programs for activities to improve or expand services under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Title II - Adult Education and Literacy. Eligible programs shall be determined based upon competitive processes and based on federal and State program considerations, as set by the State Board.

(d) Reimbursement under this Section may not exceed the actual costs of the approved program. Approved programs may assess students, except those students receiving public aid under the Illinois Public Aid Code, up to $6.00 per credit hour or unit of instruction, not to exceed $30.00 per semester per student, if needed to meet program costs.

(e) An education plan shall be established for each adult learner who is participating in the instructional programs provided under this Section.

(f) Each adult education provider shall keep an accurate and detailed account of the students assigned to and receiving instruction under this Section who are enrolled in classroom instruction. Each adult education provider shall submit reports of services provided as required by the State Board.

(g) For classes authorized under this Section, a credit hour or unit of instruction is equal to 15 hours of direct instruction for students enrolled in approved adult education programs at midterm and making satisfactory progress, in accordance with standards established by the State Board.

(h) If an approved adult education provider fails to provide or is providing unsatisfactory or insufficient classes under Section 2-12 and this Section, the State Board may enter into agreements with other eligible providers.

(Source: P.A. 101-289, eff. 8-9-19.)