RE: Adult Education - A Key Player in Work Force Preperation

Jerry Green makes an excellent point in emphasizing the important (if unheralded) role adult schools play in workforce development.  

Looking past this current economic downturn, it won't be long before California's employers will again be scratching their heads wondering where in the world they will find the high-skilled workers they so desperately need. Well, they needn't look far.   Given the opportunity, many of the million plus students who attend adult schools each year, are both capable and eager to fill those positions.  
	
This year at Santa Clara Adult School, over three thousand students have gained proficiency in skills ranging from computer applications and accounting to programming, software quality assurance, networking and database administration. Working closely with our Workforce Investment Board, advisory committees and local businesses, the school offers students high quality, cost-effective short-term training.
	
Our program has been successful thanks to the flexibility and autonomy to quickly respond to the changing needs of the community.  This is why Recommendation 38, which would place the governance of adult continuing education under the community college system, must be rewritten.  The Master Plan should promote access, program coordination, alignment and operational efficiencies, without the significant disruption likely to result from unjustified administrative oversight change.