Berkeley Adult School blog

Although it was watered down, AB 189 was signed by Governor Jerry Brown and should be counted as a success. Congratulations and thank you to Assembly Member Mike Eng for championing this legislation and seeing it through. It’s a small step, but an important one. Here is his press release:

SACRAMENTO, CA – This past weekend, Governor Brown signed Assembly Bill (AB) 189 by Assemblymember Mike Eng (D – Monterey Park), which will empower parents and community members to advocate for the protection of education programs important to them, as local boards consider making deeper cuts or closing entire programs. The bill also permits school districts to gain revenue to help fund programs like Adult Education.

Specifically, AB 189 requires Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) to hold independent meetings that are separate from the meeting to adopt a budget prior to the transfer of funds from categorical programs in Tier 3 flexibility. If a governing board intends to shut down a program, it will be required to notice a proposed elimination of a program at the meeting to discuss proposed transfer of Tier 3 funds or another meeting that is not the meeting to adopt the budget. In addition, it provides the ability to offer English as a Second Language and citizenship classes with modest fees as a means of keeping programs open and ensuring these services during flexibility.

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2009-10 budget had an important impact on categorical programs. The budget agreement imposed a 20% reduction on 39 programs and gave LEAs that received those funds in FY 2007-08 the flexibility to use the funds for any educational purposes from FY 2008-09 through FY 2012-13. The Governor recently enacted legislation to extend flexibility through the FY 2014–15.

“I am thrilled that the Governor heard the thousands of voices throughout the state that have advocated so strongly for this very important legislation, especially those in the Adult Education community,” said Assemblymember Eng. “Now, these same voices will have an opportunity to weigh in and advocate for the programs that are important to them before school districts take drastic steps in reducing or eliminating categorical programs.”

Categorical programs like Adult Education and Regional Occupational Centers & Programs (ROCP) provide valuable educational and post-educational services to a broad cross section of California’s population and prepares both adults and high school students for the workforce.

“For many members in our communities, these programs help fulfill their dreams of obtaining a better job, buying their own home, starting their own business and becoming more involved in their children’s education,” said Assemblymember Mike Eng.