Rhode Island unemployment rate

The fact measures diploma-or-higher attainment among adults 25 and older. Adult-education funding and diploma-outcome reporting concern pathways to that credential, including for adults in the measured population. Program measures have a different denominator from the Census fact and do not prove completed diplomas. This relationship does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain its earlier value.

Retained Rhode Island evidence context: Adults with at least a high school diploma. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

(g)Indicators of performanceSection 116(b)(2)(A) (29 U.S.C. 3141(b)(2)(A)) is amended—(1)in clause (i), by striking subclauses (IV) and (V) and inserting the following:(IV)the percentages of program participants who, during participation in the program—(aa)obtain a recognized postsecondary credential or a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent; and(bb)are in an education or training program that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential or employment and who are achieving measurable skill gains toward such a credential or employment;(V)the percentages of program participants who, within 1 year after exit from the program—(aa)obtain a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent;(bb)have obtained or retained employment; and(cc)are in an education or training program leading to a recognized postsecondary credential; and;(2)by striking clause (iii) and inserting the following:(iii)Interim indicators for adult educationA State may develop interim indicators for measuring the percentage of program participants on track to meet the indicators described in subclauses (IV) and (V) of clause (i) for adult education and literacy activities authorized under title II.; and(3)in clause (iv), by striking clauses (i)(VI) and inserting clause (i)(VI). 203.Authorization of appropriationsSection 206 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 3275) is amended by striking this title and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting this title $810,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, $945,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, $1,080,000,000 for fiscal year 2028, $1,215,000,000 for fiscal year 2029, and $1,350,000,000 for fiscal year 2030.. 205.Performance and accountability systemSection 212 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 3292) is amended to read as follows:212.Performance and accountability system(a)In general(1)In generalExcept as provided in subsection (b), programs and activities authorized under this title are subject to all of the performance accountability provisions described in section 116.(2)Additional measurable skill gainsWith respect to the application to programs and activities authorized under this title of the indicator of measurable skill gains under section 116(b)(2)(A)(i)(IV), such measurable skill gains may include those relating to the purpose described in section 202. (b)Pilot for innovative performance accountability systems(1)In generalThe Secretary shall approve an application from an eligible agency to pilot, for a subset of eligible providers within its State and as an alternative to the performance accountability system described in section 116, an innovative performance accountability system that uses alternative indicators of performance that have the potential to more accurately reflect the objectives and adult education and literacy activities of the eligible providers’ programs if the Secretary determines that an application from such an eligible agency meets the requirements of this subsection.(2)Pilot periodAn eligible agency applying to pilot an innovative performance accountability system under this subsection shall propose in its application the period of time that the agency desires to implement such system, except that the period shall not exceed 5 years.(3)Extension of a pilot periodThe Secretary shall approve an eligible agency’s request to extend the period of a pilot under this subsection if the Secretary determines that the innovative performance system is meeting the objectives of this subsection.(4)Application(A)In generalAn eligible agency desiring to undertake a pilot under this subsection shall submit an application at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require.(B)ContentsAn application described in subparagraph (A) shall include—(i)a description of how the eligible agency engaged in an outreach process with eligible providers within its State to—(I)inform the eligible providers of the opportunity to implement a pilot under this subsection; and(II)engage with the eligible providers in the development of alternative indicators of performance;(ii)an explanation of whether and how the eligible agency established any standards or criteria for the alternative measures of performance that participating eligible providers could elect to use;(iii)a listing of the eligible providers that will participate in the proposed pilot and a description of the indicators of performance that each such provider will make use of through the pilot;(iv)a description of why the eligible agency and the participating eligible providers believe the proposed indicators of performance would more accurately measure the attainment of the objectives of such providers’ adult education and literacy activities than would the indicators of performance described in section 116(b)(2);(v)an explanation of how the proposed indicators of performance will be valid and reliable measures of education and employment consistent with purposes of this title;(vi)a description of how the eligible agency will collect, report to the Secretary, and make publicly available the proposed indicators of performance from each participating eligible provider on a timely basis; and(vii)an assurance that the eligible agency will, at the end of the pilot period, report to the Secretary on the outcomes of the pilot, including on whether the eligible agency met the objectives of the pilot.(C)Secretarial review and approvalThe Secretary shall determine whether to approve an application under this subsection by not later than 90 days of receiving the application.(D)DisapprovalThe Secretary shall not disapprove an application under this subsection without giving the applicant the opportunity to revise and resubmit the application.(5)Additional secretarial responsibilitiesThe Secretary shall—(A)through the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences, carry out national evaluations of the implementation and outcomes of the pilots authorized under this subsection, with the first such evaluation to be completed not later than 5 years after the Secretary approves the first application from an eligible entity;(B)in consultation with the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences, identify best practices in the development and implementation of innovative performance accountability systems under this subsection;(C)disseminate information on those practices, including by making the information available on the website of the Department of Education; and(D)provide a report to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives on the results of the pilot program, including a comparison of the outcomes as measured by the innovative performance accountability systems implemented under this subsection and the performance measures described in section 116..