South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 43 - STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Article 19 - INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM
Section 43-237.1 - Adult Education Program
Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 3, March 22, 2024
A. Adult Education Program
The program of adult education is provided for adults who want to acquire a basic education, to prepare for a high school equivalency test, to develop literacy skills, to obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency, or to complete the requirements for a state high school diploma. Enrollment in the program of adult education for a state high school diploma shall be limited to adults who are residents in South Carolina.
B. Basic Education Program
The curriculum of an adult basic education program shall include organized and systematic instruction in reading, writing, and speaking the English language, numeracy, problem solving, English-language acquisition, and other literacy skills.
Each adult education program shall provide instruction at the various levels as defined in the National Reporting System for Adult Education (NRS).
Cooperation with other agencies and programs is needed in order for public education to provide for the adult population's variety of needs. A school district with the written approval of the Office of Adult Education may contract with another school district in South Carolina for the operation of the adult program. Diploma programs must have written approval from the Office of Adult Education.
C. Adult Education Facilities
D. Health Certificates
All personnel shall be screened for tuberculosis as required by (S.C. Code Ann. Sections 44-29-150, 160 (1976)). Guidelines for screening of school employees for tuberculosis are available in all county health departments.
E. In-Service Education
Each adult education director shall develop and implement an organized in-service education program for professional personnel. Staff members should be involved in the planning and evaluation of these activities, which should focus on the problems, needs, purposes, and goals of the adult education program. A copy of the in-service education plan shall be made available to the adult education supervisor upon request.
F. Length of School Term
Each approved adult education high school diploma course shall include a minimum of sixty (60) hours of instruction for each unit of credit (exclusive of registration, exams, issuing materials, etc.), unless the course is offered via the virtual school program or via an approved proficiency-based system.
G. Supervision of Instruction
Supervision and improvement of the adult education instructional program is the direct responsibility of the adult education director.
H. Allocations to School Districts
State funds shall be allocated to school districts on a formula basis as determined by the adult student enrollment and student performance as of June 30 each year.
Using actual allocations, school districts shall develop a budget that includes the following allowable expenses: directors' salaries, teacher salaries, instructional materials and supplies, "other costs," employee benefits, and indirect costs. These expenditures shall be approved by the Office of Adult Education. Disbursements for teacher salaries, instructional materials, equipment and supplies, and other costs shall be paid at a rate determined by the local board of education.
Federal and state funds may be used for payment of employee benefits for those employees whose salaries are paid with federal and state funds.
I. Allocations to Other Entities
Allocations of federal funds to other entities that are deemed eligible under the Workforce Investment Act will be made on the same formula basis as school districts. The end-of-the-year report compiled by the Office of Adult Education shall be used as the basis for determining the amount to be allocated.
J. Allocations to Other Agencies
Allocations of federal funds to other agencies that are deemed eligible under the Workforce Investment Act will be made on the same formula basis as school districts. The end-of-the-year report compiled by the Office of Adult Education shall be used as the basis for determining the amount to be allocated.
K. Base Amount
After the costs of the State Office of Adult Education operations, local directors' salaries, leadership funds, other agencies' funds, special initiatives, and entities' allocations are subtracted from the state and federal grants, the remainder shall be distributed through a formula that considers the number of participants and the current student performance formula for adult education programs. This formula will produce the program allocation amount for the up-coming school year.
L. Non-fundable Classes
No class or course for adults that is recreational or social shall be eligible for funding; therefore, enrollment in such classes shall not be counted for funding purposes, and no state or federal adult education funds may be used to support such classes. This standard applies to physical education and physical fitness classes.
M. Enrollment Count
Adult students who have been instructed a minimum of twelve (12) hours in adult education classes may be counted for enrollment only once during a fiscal year in the same program. Approved programs of study are those outlined in the federally approved SC Assessment Policy (Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, English as a Second Language, or Workplace Literacy) and taught by certified adult education instructors or by qualified volunteers .
N. Quarterly Expenditure Claims
Adult Education Expenditure Reports shall be submitted to the Office of Finance on a quarterly basis.
O. Expenditure Reports
Program expenditure reports are reviewed quarterly by the staff of the Office of Adult Education to ascertain if expenditures are consistent with allocations.
P. Local Funds
Local funds for the adult education program are expended at the discretion of the local school officials.
Q. Project Proposals
Project proposals define the plans and methods by which the program will operate and include a needs assessment of the local community served by the program. No reimbursements are made prior to the final approval of a proposal.
R. Indirect Costs
If a school district chooses to claim indirect costs, the restricted cost rate is applicable to adult education federal funds.
S. Travel Reimbursement
When travel expenses are reimbursed through the Office of Adult Education, current state employee travel regulations apply.
T. Membership
The fees for memberships in professional organizations are disallowed as expenditures from state or federal adult education funds.
U. Local Program Income
If the adult education program charges fees for tuition or materials, those funds can only be spent on additional, approved adult education activities. The funds may not go into the district's general fund or be used for any activity other than adult education.
