Executive Order  No. 428: Establishing the Governor's Taskforce to Reform Adult Education and Worker Training

WHEREAS, a primary challenge to Massachusetts' economy and the future prosperity of its citizens is achieving an educated adult work force; and

WHEREAS, according to a recent study, approximately 1.1 million workers in the Commonwealth are not adequately prepared for the New Economy, including 667,000 people who hold high school degrees but lack the skills necessary to participate; and

WHEREAS, adult education and worker training programs administered by the state must be reviewed, coordinated, and, where appropriate, expanded to ensure accountability and success in the critical effort to educate and empower unskilled and underskilled adult workers; and

WHEREAS, the development, education, and training of adult workers is a central component of the Commonwealth's commitment to education and lifelong learning; and

WHEREAS, an adult work force trained in the New Economy skills of critical thinking, effective communication, computer literacy, and technology is the key to the continued prosperity and success of Massachusetts citizens and their families;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JANE SWIFT, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Supreme Executive Magistrate, do hereby order as follows:

Section 1. There is hereby established a Task Force to Reform Adult Education and Worker Training. The Task Force shall be chaired by the Governor and shall consist of the Governor's Senior Advisor on Education and Worker Training, who shall serve as Vice Chair, and the following officials: the Secretaries of the Executive Office of Administration and Finance, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services; the Directors of the Department of Economic Development and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development; the Commissioners of the Department of Education and the Department of Transitional Assistance; the Deputy Director for the Division of Employment and Training; the Chancellor of Higher Education; the President of the Commonwealth Corporation (CBWL); and the Chairman of the State Workforce Investment Board.

Section 2. The mission of the Task Force shall be to review immediately the current system of state and federal adult education and training programs administered by the Commonwealth and to make recommendations to the Governor concerning how best to improve the provision of such services in order to ensure efficiency, coordination, accountability and maximum outreach to those who can benefit from them. In particular, the Task Force should review and evaluate (i) the structure of government agencies overseeing the adult education and worker training system, (ii) the current programs being administered, and (iii) potential funding sources for new or expanded programs. In conducting its review and in making its recommendations, the Task Force should include among its priorities the areas of adult basic education, healthcare training, high technology training, and teacher training, and should consult with leaders in business, labor and industry in the Commonwealth.

Section 3. The Task Force shall meet at such times and places as established by the Chair and shall prepare and submit a report of its review, together with recommendations, by July 11, 2001.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston this 11th day of April in the year two thousand one.

Jane Swift

(Acting) Governor

William Francis Galvin

Secretary of the Commonwealth