[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 41 (Thursday, March 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E475-E476]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         WORKFORCE REINVESTMENT AND ADULT EDUCATION ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 13, 2003

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing the Workforce 
Reinvestment and Adult Education Act of 2003 to reauthorize the 
nation's job training system, as well as adult education and vocational 
rehabilitation programs. This legislation builds upon and improves the 
systems created in the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. We have worked 
closely with the Administration to craft legislation to continue to 
empower individuals in improving their careers.
  In 1998, under the Education and the Workforce Committee's 
leadership, Congress passed the Workforce Investment Act to reform the 
nation's job training system that formerly was fragmented, contained 
overlapping programs, and did not serve either job seekers or employers 
well. WIA consolidated and integrated employment and training services 
at the local level in a more unified workforce development system. 
Local, business-led workforce investment boards direct the activities 
of the system.
  One of the hallmarks of the new system is that, in order to encourage 
the development of comprehensive systems that improve services to both 
employers and job seekers, local services are provided through a one-
stop delivery system. At the one-stop centers, assistance ranges from 
core services such as job search and placement assistance, access to 
job listings, and an initial assessment of skills and needs; intensive 
services such as comprehensive assessments and case management; and, if 
needed, occupational skills training.
  The WIA system contains the federal government's primary programs for 
investment in our nation's workforce preparation. Even though the 
system is still maturing since its full implementation in July 2000, 
States and local areas have created comprehensive services and 
effective one-stop delivery systems. The system is serving the needs of 
unemployed workers seeking new jobs in this time of economic recovery. 
In addition, the training services provided through WIA are invaluable 
in helping employers find the workers they need in areas of the country 
facing skill shortages.
  Nonetheless, there have been challenges with the system. There is a 
need to increase the financial contribution of the mandatory partners 
in the One-Stop Career Centers while at the same time increasing the 
service integration among the partner programs. This includes serving 
through the one-stop system special populations that have unique needs. 
We are concerned that administrative duplication remains in the system, 
resulting in unnecessary bureaucracy that dilutes the ability of states 
and local areas to address their communities' needs. There is also a 
need to simplify the local and state governance processes and to 
strengthen the private sector's role. Additionally, we need to increase 
training opportunities and improve performance accountability.
  This bill also aims to streamline current WIA funding in order to 
provide more efficient and results-oriented services and programs,

[[Page E476]]

strengthen infrastructure of the one-stop delivery system, eliminate 
duplication, improve accountability, enhance the role of employers, and 
increase states' and local areas' flexibility.
  This reauthorization provides an opportunity to build on and improve 
the current WIA system so that it can respond quickly and effectively 
to the changing needs of both workers and employers and further address 
the needs of special populations. It is designed to promote productive 
workforce development programs connected to the private sector, 
postsecondary education and training, and economic development systems 
in order to enhance the career opportunities and skills of the 21st 
century workforce. Our goal is to improve the locally driven system to 
ensure we provide the tools to meet local workforce development needs.
  Title II of this Act is the Adult Basic Skills Act, to reauthorize 
state programs for adult education. The adult education program 
currently serves 2.7 million adults, almost half who are immigrants 
whose first language is not English. The program also serves those who 
are working to get a GED or its recognized equivalent, or are preparing 
for higher education. Adult basic education programs across the country 
are offered through schools, community centers, libraries, public 
housing, community colleges, and volunteer organizations, both public 
and private, profit and non-profit.
  This bill makes changes to current law, and places more of a focus on 
the delivery of the basic skills of reading, writing, speaking, and 
math. Additionally, we have sought to ensure that instructional 
practices are based on scientific research. Provisions have been 
included to increase accountability for States and local providers to 
have measurable results in improving basic skills, GED graduates, and 
those entering higher education. It is important that there be 
increased coordination with the business community, and Labor 
Department programs.
  The bill also makes improvements to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 
which provides services to help persons with physical and mental 
disabilities become employable and achieve full integration into 
society. The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) title of this bill enhances 
and improves transition services, which promote the movement of a 
student served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 
(IDEA) from school to post-school activities. This legislation also 
requires States to include in their State plans an assessment of the 
transition services provided through the VR system and of how those 
services are coordinated with such services under IDEA. Also included 
in the State plan are strategies the State will use to address the 
needs identified in the assessment of transitions services described 
above.
  I look forward to working with the members of the Committee, other 
member of Congress, the Administration, and all stakeholders as we work 
to a craft legislation that will build upon and improve the systems we 
created in 1998 and continue to empower individuals in enhancing their 
career opportunities and skills in our 21st century workforce. I urge 
my colleagues to join me and the other original co-sponsors in support 
of the Workforce Reinvestment and Adult Education Act of 2003.

                          ____________________