Page images
PDF
EPUB

PREFACE

The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare has

issued a document giving information on the background

and purpose of programs under which Federal funds are made available to State and local governments and other types of recipients in the fields of health, education, and welfare. The following pages comprise the section on education and give special attention to the formulas or other criteria specified by Congress for the distribution

of funds. Also included are financial data on authoriza

tions, appropriations, and expenditures as well as the legal authority.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

ADMINISTERED BY THE

OFFICE OF EDUCATION

ADULT BASIC EDUCATION

Purpose

1. To initiate programs of instruction for individuals who have attained age 18 and whose inability to read and write the English language constitutes a substantial impairment of their ability to get or retain employment commensurate with their ability; namely, by assisting in:

a. Establishment by local education agencies of adult basic education pilot projects relating to instruction in public schools or other facilities used by the agencies.

b. Meeting costs of local adult basic education programs.

C. Developing and improving State education agency technical

or supervisory services for adult basic education programs.

2. To provide for the training of persons engaged or preparing to engage as instructors of individuals in need of adult basic education.

The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 authorized assistance related to pilot projects, local programs, and technical or supervisory services for adult basic education programs. The Economic Opportunity Amendments of 1965 added a new section 218 authorizing teacher training projects.

The term "State" in the legislation means any of the 50 States of the Union, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, or the Virgin Islands. Authority for the program is vested in the first instance in the Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity. The Office of Education administers the program under delegated authority.

[blocks in formation]

1/ Sums represent funds appropriated to the Office of Economic Opportunity and transferred for Office of Education administration of the program.

2/ Unobligated balance from the appropriation for fiscal year 1965 is included as authorized by the enabling legislation.

Method of Distribution

Not to exceed five percent of the funds for the program from the Office of Economic Opportunity may be reserved for the Office of ducation to provide directly or by contract or to make grants for teacher training. The remainder is for allocation to the States for pilot projects and instructional programs by local education agencies and for State education agency technical and supervisory services.

Not to exceed two percent of these funds for the States is reserved for Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. The rest is allotted to the 50 States of the Union and the District of Columbia on the basis of the relative number in each who have attained age 18 and have completed not more than five school grades or have not achieved an equivalent level of education, except that no allotment is less than $50,000.

Reallocation of funds

The portion of any allotment to one of the 50 States of the Union or the District of Columbia which is not required for the period such allotment is available, may be reallotted from time to time to the others in proportion to their original allotments less any sums in excess of their needs. The total of such reductions, in turn, is reallotted. An allotment for fiscal year 1965, to the extent not reallotted, remains available for fiscal year 1966.

Source of Data:

Delegation of authority: 29 F.R. 14764, October 29,

1964.

Regulations: 30 F.R. 3531, March 17, 1965--45 C.F.R. 166 (with authori

zation for the program through fiscal year 1968).

Matching Requirements

Teacher training projects: None.

Other projects: Ten percent from State or local funds in fiscal years 1965 through 1967 and 90 percent from Federal funds; 50 percent from State or local funds and 50 percent from Federal funds in fiscal year 1968. Who May Receive Federal Aid

Teacher training projects: Colleges and universities, State or local education agencies, or other appropriate public or private nonprofit agencies or organizations.

Other projects: State education agencies administering State plans approved by the U.S. Commissioner of Education.

Application Procedure

Teacher training projects: Institutions, agencies, or organizations submit proposals to the Cffice of Education. Proposals must be approved by the State Director or Directors of Adult Education in the area or areas to be serviced by the projects.

Other projects: Local education agencies, organizations, and institutions participate by submitting proposals and plans to the State education agency. The State education agency prepares and submits its State plan to the Office of Education. The State plan sets forth a program for use of funds to encourage substantial progress within a reasonable period in eliminating inability of adults to read and write English. These plans must take account of all segments of the population throughout the State.

Developments During the Past Year

Office participation began with the provision of consultative services. States began to submit their plans after authority for administration of the program was delegated to the Commissioner of Education. The first grant for local instructional programs and pilot projects was made on April 29, 1965. State plans still were being submitted for approval when fiscal year 1965 closed.

Legal Basis

Public Law 88-452 (Economic Opportunity Act of 1964), August 20, 1964, title II, part B (78 Stat. 520) as amended by Public Law 89-253 (Economic Opportunity Amendments of 1965), October 9, 1965, sections 18 and 19 (79 Stat. 976)--42 U.S.C. 2801.

Additional information may be obtained from: Bureau of Adult and Vocational Education, Office of Education, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Washington, D. C. 20202.

« PreviousContinue »