Basic Education SR 01-03, 07/01 (FAM-A)

Basic education is any educational program that is considered secondary education and includes, but is not limited to, basic and alternative educational activities listed below:

• general educational development (GED) programs;

• remedial or adult basic education (ABE) programs;

• High school diploma programs;

• approved home education programs;

• alternative educational high schools;

• English as a second language (ESL);

• Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 out-of-school youth programs; and

• special programs for learning disabled individuals.

Participant Requirements

The following individuals (both 1 and 2 parent families) are required to participate in basic or alternative education activities:

• custodial parents under age 21 without a high school diploma or its equivalent must participate full-time as defined by the institution, as follows:

- parents age 18 through 20 are required to participate when their youngest child turns 6 months of age;

- parents under age 18 are required to participate when their youngest child turns 12 weeks of age; and

• dependent children age 16 through 19 who do not have a high school diploma or equivalent and who are mandatory NHEP participants are required to participate full-time as defined by the institution.

Age 21 and Over

For individuals who are age 21 or over, it is the individual’s option to participate in basic educational activities. Individuals can choose basic educational activities as the sole activity in a full time program or attend part time while participating in other approved NHEP activities.

Exception: Parents in two parent families age 21 through age 25 without a high school diploma or equivalent may, but are not required to, participate in basic educational activities. However, they still must meet minimum participation requirements.

If an individual age 21 and over does not choose basic educational activities and team members determine that the basic education activity is the appropriate activity, that individual will not be required to participate in educational activities provided:

• the individual demonstrates a basic literacy level; or

• the long term employment goal, identified on the EP does not require a high school diploma or equivalent.

The following also applies to individuals age 21 and older:

• for NHEP participants in basic educational activities that are considered full time by the institution but are not meeting participation requirements dependent upon the age of the youngest child, additional NHEP activities will be required as specified on the EP; and

• the GED classes that meet for a minimum of 30 hours a week are considered full time and are subject to the new time limits described below.

Home Education

Home education programs are an acceptable substitution for secondary educational programs for an individual age 16 and older, when any of the following documentation verifying participation and progress in the program is provided:

• curriculum, or lesson plans;

• tests, grades, or progress reports;

• proof of payment for the approved home education curriculum or course of study; or

• any documentation that reasonably establishes the individual’s on-going participation and progress in the home education program.

Parental participation in an approved home education program does not meet the parent’s NHEP work participation requirements and is not an allowable NHEP work activity.

Specific Activity Requirements

Alternative educational activities may be substituted for basic education for the following participants:

• dependent children age 16 and older if the high school refuses to accept the individual.

• caseheads age 16 or 17 if:

- the high school refuses to accept the individual;

- school attendance is not in the best interests of the individual;

- the parent requests an alternative to high school; or

- an educational activity is not available, however the training or work activity that is substituted can not be required.

Approved NHEP training or work activities may be substituted for basic or alternative education for caseheads age 18 through 20 if:

• the participant fails to make good progress in an educational activity; or

• an educational activity is inappropriate based on the assessment and employment goal.

Time Limits For Basic Education Classes That Meet For 30 Hours a Week

Time limits for participation in basic education classes that meet for a minimum of 30 hours a week are as follows:

• ABE/GED classes may be approved for one year as the sole NHEP activity except for the 1st parent in a 2 parent family;

• ABE/GED classes may be approved for one additional year if a GED has not been obtained as long as an additional NHEP activity is required as the primary NHEP activity; and

• ABE/GED classes are only available for a 2 year period in any consecutive 5 years.

Exceptions: The time limits do not apply to:

• an NHEP participant who is under 21 years of age;

• basic or alternative educational activities that do not meet for a minimum of 30 hours a week; or

• an individual who has a documented learning disability. The classes may be extended as specified on an educational plan from a state certified education professional or psychologist.

Support Services

All of the following support services may be authorized for this activity:

• child care assistance;

• transportation assistance (payment to enrolled public/private carriers, mileage and auto repair reimbursement);

• tuition; and

• fees and supplies.

The following tables illustrate basic educational requirements based on the participant’s age and case membership status.

BASIC EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS