Student Eligibility Requirements for WIOA Section 243, IELCE
NUMBERED MEMO CC22-032
To: College and Career Readiness Directors, LEIS Data Coordinators, IELCE Coordinators
From: Jessica Rieger, Director of Career Pathways for ELLs, College and Career Readiness
Subject: Student Eligibility Requirements for WIOA Section 243, IELCE
Date: May 4, 2022
Section 243 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) provides Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE) to English language learners (ELL) who are adults, including professionals with degrees and credentials in their native countries, that enable such adults to achieve competency in the English language and acquire the basic and more advanced skills needed to function effectively as parents, workers, and citizens in the United States. Such services must include instruction in literacy and English language acquisition (ELA) and instruction on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and civic participation. The funds provided under section 243 of the Act must be used in combination with integrated education and training.
The purpose of this memo is to inform providers about student eligibility requirements for enrollment into an IELCE program. First, individuals must meet the following criteria to be eligible for adult education and literacy services under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA):
(A) Attained 16 years of age: and
(B) Not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under State law; and
(C) Who—
(i) is basic skills deficient;
(ii) does not have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and has not achieved an equivalent level of education; or
(iii) is an English language learner.
An ELL is defined under Section 203(7) of the Act as, “an eligible individual who has limited ability in reading, writing, speaking, or comprehending the English language, and
(A) whose native language is a language other than English; or
(B) who lives in a family or community environment where a language other than English is the dominant language.
Also of note, National Reporting System (NRS) levels are not determiners for student eligibility. Non-native English speakers, who are receiving ELA and civics instruction as an integrated component of IELCE are still eligible to participate under IELCE even though they may have tested out of all six ELL levels in NRS. Programs should use the NRS assessment that best fits the level of the learner, e.g., TABE, CASAS.
If you have questions or require assistance, please submit your inquiries to Jessica Rieger at riegerj@nccommunitycolleges.edu
cc:
Dr. Levy Brown, Senior Vice President Gilda Rubio-Festa, Associate Vice President
