Travis County Commssioners Court
April 1, 2003
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Item 30
30 is to approve a 12-month extensions, modification number 3, to interlocal agreement number il 000273 mq with Austin independent school district for adult basic education services. Somebody had a question?
>> I did. Is this a matching program? Do we get any kind of matching dollars?
>> there is participation from the city of Austin, aisd and acc in this.
>> are we a partner in this effort?
>> yes. , so out of the $100,000, is this $100,000 ours and other dollars are --
>> this is our 100,000.
>> this is our 100,000.
>> yes.
>> and Commissioner, the reason we do this is one of the reasons was that if parents know how to read and write and know the english language, then they can help their children with their homework. And basically that's the circle that works well. The families are going to be involved in their children's education.
>> do we have any sort of compilation of what this really does? I think it's great if your parents can help you read your homework. I think that should be the case, but have we ever done any kind of studies to show, okay, we had 1500 people that we helped and here is where their children are with regards to where their grades are, they're staying in school, this or that? Is this -- this is not really an aisd program. It's not a mandated program, first of all.
>> it's not a mandated program. It's more of a community program that occurs at aisd with participation from at least four entities. Actually, we consider this to be part of the workforce development effort as well as a supportive effort for children. Do I know other -- I don't know specific outcomes, but I can go back and look at the monitoring reports to see exactly what the outcomes associated with this are. I know that there are more than 900 participants in the program.
>> I do think that we -- this would be one of those things that I see that we are going to have to start making some tough calls on some budget things. And it's just a simple matter, do you put money into this or do you put money into other health care needs or other children's needs or other whatever. You know, $100,000 is nothing to sneeze at. At but I’m constantly amazed at home line item things that they have that we spend these kinds of dollars on. I’m not saying that you don't need it and probably don't need to get into the philosophical question of english being the primary language, but it's something that I think as a community, you know, there are probably a lot of people that look at us and say what are -- why are we in that business?
>> could I ask a question? Go ahead.
>> is there also g.e.d. Programs in there, in this portion?
>> no.
>> [everyone talking at once].
>> we do report those activities and other contracts.
>> I didn't understand a word you said. Could you repeat that, please?
>> not in this particular contract, but we do support g.e.d. Activities and through other contracts.
>> but it's not in this particular one?
>> no.
>> can I ask a question in a different way? This was actually to put in place an interlocal that going back to October 1 of 2002. Is there a reason that this thing was not brought to us as a lot sooner because we would obviously have either not paid on this contract and we're almost six months into the fiscal year, and we're giving services during that six months?
>> I’m pretty sure they've been giving services, but I don't know the logistics regarding the timing on it.
>> okay. That's --
>> [inaudible - no mic].
>> this interlocal had -- we continue to pay it.
>> okay. I like seeing things closer to when the renewals happen because this was something that happened during our budget process. And Commissioner Daugherty, I respect the fact that you're taking a good look at these things. This one is actually following through on a five-0 vote of the Commissioner's court made during budget that that was something we chose to do. So this is actually reflective of this fiscal year. I certainly look forward to some very interesting discussions, not only on this -- a whole lot of things in terms of what we do for the next fiscal year, but this is really carrying through on budgetary decisions that were made by the court prior to you joining us.
>> and it serves the taxpayers as well. It's not like we're serving a community that's out there isolated somewhere and doesn't contribute at all. It's simply trying to help blend in taxpayers to participate with schools and to help with homework and that sort of thing.
>> and just a clarification on the funding. $50,000 comes from our general fund and then 50,000 is federal reimbursement from title a programs.
>> it is supplemented by --
>> we do get the grant money.
>> I think that was part of this question.
>> that's probably why the court chose to participate.
>> and I have no problem with it. English as a second language I think is very vital in this community, along with the -- well, I mentioned g.e.d. Because I thought there was maybe a connection with the program. And I think it is very vital. You get a lot of mileage I think out of that. So I can support it with those type of conditions on that that we do get the mileage out of it. I think we have seen a good track record and I think these will be very necessary I guess to present what we are getting out of it, per se, as far as some of the performance measures, and I haven't seen anything yet that hasn't convinced me not to do it.
>> yes. Actually, to be more specific in your backup regarding performance measures, you will see general performance measures. And one is percentage of students enrolled throughout the year showing a gain and standardized test scores, and the target there was 65%. So we are measuring that, but just don't have actuals for this year.
>> and this addresses the dropout rate, trying to prevent the dropout.
>> are those students or are those adults?
>> this is adult education.
>> so it's adult education.
>> this is english as a second language.
>> and where does -- I mean, it's passed by this budget, I understand that, and that's right, we'll have more discussion about it in the '03-'04 budget. [everyone talking at once].
>> judge, I move approval of item number 30.
>> second.
>> any more discussion? All in favor? Show Commissioners Gomez, Davis, Sonleitner, yours truly voting in favor, and abstaining Commissioner Daugherty.
Last Modified: Tuesday, April 8, 2003 1:25 PM