Student Eligibility Policy
Effective Date: February 20, 2026 | Date Issued: February 20, 2026 | Last Version: August 26, 2025
Policy Summary
- AE students must meet eligibility requirements in order to receive services.
- Students must be at least 16 years old.
- Students must be basic skills deficient, lack a high school diploma/equivalency, or be an English language learner.
Revisions Summary
Reverted to former version of the Student Eligibility Policy in compliance with WIOA Title II.
Eligible Individuals
Local Adult Education (AE) programs must only allow eligible individuals to participate in services.1 The term “eligible individual” means an individual —
- who has attained 16 years of age;
- who is not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under State law; and
- who
- is basic skills deficient;
- does not have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and has not achieved an equivalent level of education; or
- is an English language learner.
Determining Age Eligibility
Local program staff must determine that a prospective student meets the minimum age requirement during the intake process. A prospective student must disclose their age during initial conversations with staff or when completing program registration information.
If an individual indicates that they are under 16 years of age, they are ineligible for AE services. If an individual indicates that they are 16 or 17 years of age, then they must comply with the State’s compulsory school attendance laws, and may only enroll in the AE program if their parent or guardian unenrolls them from secondary school and approves their enrollment in AE.
Determining Academic Need Eligibility
Local staff must determine that a prospective student meets the academic need requirement during the intake process. A prospective student demonstrates academic need through (1) being basic skills deficient; (2) disclosing that they do not have a high school diploma or equivalency diploma; or (3) being an English language learner. Each of these is discussed further, below.
Basic Skills Deficient
An individual is considered basic skills deficient if they are “unable to compute or solve problems, or read, write, or speak English, at a level necessary to function on the job, in the individual’s family, or in society.”2
During intake, if an individual indicates that they need assistance with improving their basic numeracy, literacy, or English language skills, then they meet the definition of “basic skills deficient” and are eligible for AE services.
High School Diploma or Equivalency
During intake, if an individual indicates that they do not have a high school diploma or equivalency, then they are eligible for AE services. However, an individual who does have a high school diploma or equivalency may still receive services if they are basic skills deficient or are an English language learner.
English Language Learner
During intake, if an individual indicates that they are an English language learner, then they are eligible for AE services. An individual is considered an English language learner if they have “limited ability in reading, writing, speaking, or comprehending the English language, and
- [their] native language is a language other than English; or
- [they] live in a family or community environment where a language other than English is the dominant language.”3
Governance
Local program directors are responsible for disseminating this policy to their staff members and for providing staff with associated training, checking for understanding, enforcing compliance, and seeking technical assistance from TDLWD staff as necessary.
To ensure compliance with this policy, TDLWD staff will review student enrollment records entered into the student data management system.