Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

SB 630
                                  Department of Legislative Services
                                             Maryland General Assembly
                                                   2021 Session
                                         FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
                                            Third Reader - Revised
Senate Bill 630                                 (Senator Ferguson)
Budget and Taxation                                                                                               Appropriations
              Education - Adult High School Pilot Program - Funding and Grants
This bill authorizes the Adult High School Pilot Program to provide grants to an adult
high school established by a nonprofit as part of the program. The Governor must include
in the State budget an appropriation of State general or federal funds to the program of
$250,000 in fiscal 2022 and $250,000 per pilot program beginning in fiscal 2023 and
annually thereafter. In fiscal 2022, the program must provide a $250,000 grant to the
current pilot program proposing to operate in the Cherry Hill neighborhood of
Baltimore City. The bill takes effect June 1, 2021.
                                                      Fiscal Summary
State Effect: General fund expenditures increase by $250,000 in FY 2022 to create a pilot
program in Baltimore City (FY 2022 budget includes $250,000 appropriation contingent
upon enactment of this bill). General fund or federal fund expenditures increase by $250,000
per pilot annually beginning in FY 2023 to fund grants to adult high school programs
(two pilot programs are currently operational, therefore expenditures increase by at least
$500,000 annually as shown below). Existing staff at the Maryland Department of Labor
(MDL) and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) can appropriately
distribute funding. This bill establishes a mandated appropriation beginning in FY 2023.
      (in dollars)               FY 2022               FY 2023                FY 2024               FY 2025                FY 2026
   Revenues                               $0                    $0                     $0                    $0                     $0
   GF Expenditure                    250,000                     0                      0                     0                      0
   GF/FF Exp.                              0               500,000                500,000               500,000                500,000
   Net Effect                     ($250,000)            ($500,000)             ($500,000)            ($500,000)             ($500,000)
Note:() = decrease; GF = general funds; FF = federal funds; SF = special funds; - = indeterminate increase; (-) = indeterminate decrease
Local Effect: None.
Small Business Effect: None.
                                          Analysis
Current Law: Chapter 608 of 2017 established the Adult High School Pilot Program
jointly administered and supervised by MSDE and MDL. The program provides an
alternative method for adults who did not graduate from high school to earn a high school
diploma and potentially earn postsecondary education credits and industry-recognized
certification in an environment that meets the needs of an adult learner.
MSDE, in consultation with MDL, may approve up to six pilot projects, each of which may
enroll up to 350 students. Pilot projects must operate from a fixed physical location and
enroll students who are age 21 or older and who do not have a high school diploma and did
not complete the requirements for high school graduation through GED or other testing.
The pilot sites must provide “wraparound services,” including child care, transportation,
substance abuse prevention or treatment, and other related social services.
Application Process: In selecting pilot sites, MDL and MSDE must give priority to pilots
located in counties or geographic areas in a county where the high school attainment rate
is below the State average. They must also consider geographic diversity; for every
two pilot sites selected in an urban area, one must be selected in a rural area. Pilot projects
are not public schools for the purposes of public financing of schools.
Only private, nonprofit entities are eligible to apply for and operate an adult high school
pilot program; MSDE and MDL must establish qualifications for nonprofits that wish to
operate a pilot site, as specified in the bill. Applications by nonprofit entities must include
detailed descriptions of the proposed operator, curriculum, assessment procedures,
performance standards, wraparound services, budget, and other features. Among other
requirements, the proposed curriculum must be aligned with the Maryland College- and
Career-Ready Standards. Within 60 days of receiving a plan submitted by a nonprofit
entity, MSDE must approve or disapprove the proposed curriculum. If the curriculum is
approved, MSDE, in consultation with MDL, must approve or disapprove the entire plan.
Within 30 days of MSDE’s final approval of a plan, and in accordance with established
procedures, the State Board of Education must grant waivers from any regulation that
conflicts with the purpose and goals of the plan, including student community service
requirements. However, it may not grant waivers from the required Maryland High School
Assessment program. Pilots must comply with Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 barring discrimination against students with disabilities and must provide
accommodations equal to those a student would qualify for under the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act. Operators may partner with local school boards or public
institutions of higher education if they intend to provide course work for college credit.
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Governance and Evaluation: Each pilot must be governed by an advisory board with
between 11 and 25 members; MDL and MSDE each select 1 member of the board.
Each operator must conduct annual evaluations of its program that measure specified
outcomes. Evaluation reports are due to MSDE and MDL annually beginning
October 1, 2018. By December 1, 2020, MDL and MSDE must submit a report to the
Governor and the General Assembly that includes (1) an evaluation of each pilot; (2) a
recommendation to expand, continue, modify, or terminate the program; (3) demographic
information on students enrolled in the pilots; and (4) the fiscal solvency of the program.
If MSDE and MDL agree that the program is not effective, they must send written notice
of the program’s discontinuation to the pilot projects.
Adult Education Programs
MDL’s Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning provides opportunities to
adult learners for instruction in basic academic skills, workforce preparation, and English
language acquisition, along with high school diploma options. The division provides GED
testing to candidates who are at least 17 years old and not enrolled in school. Candidates
may also complete the National External Diploma Program (NEDP), an applied
performance assessment system that assesses high school level skills in life and work
contexts. Completers of either the GED or NEDP programs receive a Maryland high school
diploma.
                               Additional Information
Prior Introductions: None.
Designated Cross File: None.
Information Source(s): Maryland State Department of Education; Department of Budget
and Management; Department of Legislative Services
Fiscal Note History:      First Reader - February 16, 2021
rh/rhh                    Third Reader - March 30, 2021
                                 Revised - Amendment(s) - March 30, 2021
                                 Revised - Budget Information - July 15, 2021
Analysis by: Michael E. Sousane                        Direct Inquiries to:
                                                       (410) 946-5510
                                                       (301) 970-5510
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