Introduced Version - Originating in Committee
Senate Concurrent Resolution 59 History
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Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 59
(By Senators Plymale, Edgell, Bailey, Green, Hunter,
Oliverio,
Stollings, Unger, Wells, White, Boley, Guills, Hall and Sprouse)
[Originating in the Committee on Education]
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance
study
methods to
provide academic support and financial incentives
to encourage adults without high school diplomas to pass the
General Education Development (GED) test and enroll in post-
secondary education.
Whereas, Improving the level of adult literacy and increasing
the number of college degrees earned significantly increases the
competitiveness of a state's workforce and the availability of
professional expertise; and
Whereas, West Virginia ranks 49th in the number of adults who
demonstrate higher level literacy skills. Twenty percent of the
adult population are low-level readers who have difficulty reading
beyond a fourth-grade level; and
Whereas, Eighty percent of the new jobs in the knowledge
economy not only demand a high school diploma or its equivalent,
but also require some post-secondary education; and
Whereas, A viable route for working-age adults to enter post-
secondary education is to pass the General Education Development (GED) test and receive the High School Equivalency Diploma; and
Whereas, West Virginia ranks above the national average in
High School Equivalency Diplomas awarded as a percentage of all
high school completers; and
Whereas, West Virginia ranks 50th in preparation for jobs in
the new economy and the number of working-age adults enrolled in
college-level education or training in West Virginia has decreased
by 26 percent, which is one of steepest declines in the nation; and
Whereas, Nationally, 38 percent of students who initially
enroll in community colleges are economically disadvantaged; and
Whereas, College costs have grown faster than inflation for 20
years, making affordability an ever-growing worry for students,
families and policymakers; and
Whereas, West Virginia ranks well below the national average
on the percentage of undergraduates over the age of 24 who attend
community and technical colleges or are enrolled part time; and
Whereas, Programs such as the Middle College Initiative, a
collaborative effort between Adult Basic Education (ABE) and
community and technical colleges, provides a successful model for
transition to post-secondary education for adults who receive the
High School Equivalency Diploma;
and
Whereas, The Higher Education Adult Part-Time Student (HEAPS)
Grant Program is designed to aid adults who attend college part
time, but currently does not provide sufficient financial support for the majority of adult students; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to
study
methods to
provide academic support and
financial incentives to encourage adults without high school
diplomas to pass the General Education Development (GED) test and
enroll in post-secondary education; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2008, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.
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