[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 200 (Tuesday, October 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-25884]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 18, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

 

Reauthorization of Adult and Vocational Education Programs

AGENCY: Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice of public hearings on the reauthorization of adult and 
vocational education programs.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary of Education announces public hearings on the 
reauthorization of programs under the Adult Education Act, the Carl D. 
Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act and the 
National Literacy Act of 1991.
    The hearings for the Adult Education Act, Carl D. Perkins 
Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act, and the National 
Literacy Act will provide an opportunity for interested persons to 
present their views on key issues and programs for consideration in the 
development of the Department's reauthorization proposals for these 
important program areas. Separate hearings for adult education and for 
vocational education will be held at each site. Separate hearings are 
an attempt to ensure participation of as many presenters as possible 
and are not meant to limit the scope of discussion. Commenters are 
encouraged to address reauthorization issues that cut across both the 
adult and vocational education programs or that address linking these 
programs with other Federal programs or initiatives.

DATES AND ADDRESSES: Public hearings are scheduled for one and one-half 
days from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on day one and from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 
p.m. on day two at each of the locations on the dates listed. The 
Department will generally select persons to testify on a first-come, 
first-served basis but will attempt to ensure that testimony is 
received from representatives of diverse constituencies. Persons 
wishing to confirm their appearance prior to the hearing date must 
submit a written request to the Department of Education (FAXES 
encouraged), including the participant's name, address, telephone 
number, FAX number (if available), organizational affiliation (if 
appropriate), as well as the location code of the hearing. Written 
requests to present oral testimony must be received on or before the 
following closing dates:

California hearing--October 21
Tennessee hearing--October 28
Illinois hearing--November 4
Massachusetts hearing--November 10

    To ensure timely handling, the request should be clearly marked 
with the location code of the hearing. (See the location codes in the 
listing of dates and locations of the hearings). For example, persons 
interested in testifying at the adult education hearing in California 
should use the code CA-AE and persons interested in testifying on 
vocational education at the California hearing should use the code CA-
VTE.
    The request should be addressed to Phyllis Dorsey, Division of 
Adult Education and Literacy, U.S. Department of Education, 600 
Independence Avenue, SW., room 4424, Mary E. Switzer Building, 
Washington, DC 20202-7320 or Nancy Essey, Division of Vocational and 
Technical Education, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence 
Avenue, SW, room 4317, Mary E. Switzer Building, Washington, DC 20202-
7241. Requests will be accepted via FAX and may be sent to the 
following FAX number: (202) 205-8973. No advance notice is needed for 
attendance at the hearings.
    The opportunity for on-site registration to provide oral testimony 
also will be provided on a space available basis. Persons not able to 
testify are encouraged to submit written testimony. Written testimony 
will be accepted at each hearing site or may be mailed to the 
Department at either of the addresses listed above.
    The dates and locations of the hearings are as follows:
    October 24-25: Radisson Hotel at San Francisco Airport [Location 
Code: CA-AE or CA-VTE], 1177 Airport Boulevard, Burlingame, California, 
(415) 342-9200.
    November 1-2: Stouffer Renaissance Nashville Hotel [Location Code 
TN-AE or TN-VTE], 611 Commerce Street, Nashville, Tennessee, (615) 255-
8400.
    November 7-8: Chicago Hilton Hotel & Tower [Location Code: IL-AE or 
IL-VTE], 720 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, (312) 922-4400.
    November 16-17: Ramada Hotel [Location Code: MA-AE or MA-VTE], 225 
McClellan Highway, Boston, Massachusetts, (617) 569-5250.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adult Education Hearings: Phyllis P. 
Dorsey, Division of Adult Education and Literacy (202) 205-9311.
    Vocational Education Hearings: Nancy E. Essey, Division of 
Vocational and Technical Education (202) 205-9868.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Secretary also has requested written 
comments from the public on the reauthorization of adult and vocational 
education programs in a notice published in the Federal Register on 
September 20, 1994 (59 FR 48366).
    The Secretary is holding these hearings to provide interested 
persons with the opportunity to present their views on current adult 
education and vocational education programs, to suggest modifications 
and alternatives to these programs, and to recommend new and innovative 
program initiatives that support the President's Goals 2000: Educate 
America strategy for achieving the National Education, particularly 
Goals 2 and 6.
    Goal 2: By the year 2000, the high school graduation rate will 
increase to at least 90 percent.
    Goal 6: By the year 2000, every adult American will be literate and 
will possess the knowledge and skills necessary to compete in a global 
economy and exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
    The Secretary is especially interested in public views on the broad 
program issues identified in the September 20, 1994, Federal Register 
notice. Persons interested in participating in the hearings are urged 
to review the Federal Register notice to become familiar with the 
issues and programs that should be addressed.

Need for Reauthorization

    The authorization for the Adult Education Act and the Carl D. 
Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act expires September 30, 
1995. In order to contribute in a timely manner to congressional 
reauthorization discussions, the Secretary has begun a review of these 
programs. To ensure public participation in the reauthorization, the 
Secretary has requested written comments on issues published in a 
notice published in the Federal Register on September 20, 1994, and is 
holding a series of four public hearings. The Secretary intends to 
submit to Congress the Department's proposals to reauthorize these 
programs in March 1995.

Hearing Procedures

    A senior Department official will preside at each hearing and will 
be accompanied by a panel of Department of Education employees and 
other Federal agency representatives. The Secretary encourages Members 
of Congress, Governors, State legislators, State agency personnel, 
State Board representatives, practitioners, members of professional 
associations, business representatives, community leaders, organized 
labor, representatives of higher education institutions, Private 
Industry Council representatives, special population groups, Tribal 
representatives, and students to participate in the hearings.
    Participants who are selected to testify will be notified of the 
time of their presentation. Participants may comment on any issue or 
program relating to the reauthorization. Participants will be grouped 
in panels of four to five persons. Each participant will be limited to 
five minutes of oral presentation and five minutes for responding to 
questions from the Federal panel. More extensive discussions can be 
included in written comments to be submitted on the day of the 
hearings.
    Presenters are asked to submit two copies of their written comments 
and recommendations for the record on the day they appear at the 
hearing.
    Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday.
    Dated: October 13, 1994.
Augusta Souza Kappner,
Assistant Secretary, Office of Vocational and Adult Education.
[FR Doc. 94-25884 Filed 10-17-94; 8:45 am]
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