Bill > H3390

This bill, titled the "Access to Quality Adult Basic Education Act," aims to improve adult basic education by establishing a framework for setting and enforcing quality standards. It defines key terms like "adult basic education program" (entities providing these services), "adult basic educators" (individuals paid to provide these services), and "adult basic educators organization" (a group chosen by educators to represent them). The bill grants adult basic educators the right to form and join an organization to negotiate with the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education on specific matters, including professional development, recruitment and retention, performance criteria, career development payments, benefits access, grant application processes, funding methods, and administrative assessments. These negotiations will lead to an "adult basic education standards agreement" between the Commissioner and the chosen educators' organization, which will be legally binding and take precedence over departmental policies if there's a conflict. The bill also outlines a process for selecting and recognizing this organization, including provisions for elections and majority support verification, and requires adult basic education programs to provide lists of their educators to the Commissioner for representation purposes. The legislation intends to provide antitrust immunity for the joint activities of educators and their chosen organization and ensures that any standards adopted will meet federal requirements for receiving federal funds.