Kentucky would set up a pilot for adults to earn diplomas

The Education and Labor Cabinet would run an Adult Workforce Diploma Pilot Program and approve providers that meet the program requirements. The program would serve Kentucky residents who are at least 21 years old and do not have a high school diploma. Providers would need regional accreditation and the ability to offer diploma courses, basic reading and math help, career courses, workforce credential preparation, job placement help, intake assessments, and transcript reviews. An approved provider could not receive federal or state funding or private tuition for a student in the program. Providers would submit approval forms by August 15 each year, receive approval by October 15, and begin enrolling students by November 15.

The cabinet would pay approved providers for student progress, including earned credits, job skills certificates, workforce credentials, and high school diplomas. Payments would go to approved providers for eligible students and only for diploma-required courses or added courses that meet workforce credential requirements. Payments would range from $275 to $1,100 depending on the milestone, including the training hours for workforce credentials. Providers would submit monthly invoices, and the cabinet would pay them in submission order until available money runs out. The fund could contain general fund, federal, gift, grant, and other available money, and unused money would carry into the next fiscal year. Providers would invoice by the tenth calendar day of each month for milestones completed during the previous month.

The cabinet would review provider performance, set program rules, and remove providers that fail required standards if the program is extended. Performance review would cover approved providers, including their graduation rates and average cost per graduate. Beginning with the second cohort, providers would need a graduation rate of at least 50 percent and an average cost per graduate of no more than $7,500. The cabinet could create a process to help providers comply before removing them. Removal for failing the standards would apply if the General Assembly extends the program and the provider remains out of compliance for two years. Performance reviews would begin July 1, 2027. Regulations would be due by November 1, 2027, and the program would expire after July 1, 2029 unless the General Assembly extends it.