(a) Each local and regional board of education shall establish and maintain a program of adult classes or shall provide for participation in a program of adult classes for its adult residents through cooperative arrangements with one or more other boards of education, one or more cooperating eligible entities or a regional educational service center pursuant to the provisions of § 10-66a. Such board of education may admit an adult to any public elementary or secondary school. No person enrolled in a full-time program of study in any local or regional school district may enroll in an adult education activity unless (1) such person receives the approval of the school principal of the school in which such person is enrolled in such full-time program, or (2) such person is enrolled in an adult education activity as part of an alternative educational opportunity during a period of expulsion, in accordance with the provisions of § 10-233d. Instruction: (A) Shall be provided in Americanization and United States citizenship, English for adults with limited English proficiency, and elementary and secondary school completion programs or classes; (B) may be provided in (i) any subject provided by the elementary and secondary schools of such school district, including vocational education, (ii) adult literacy, (iii) parenting skills, and (iv) any other subject or activity; and (C) may include college preparatory classes, for which the local or regional board of education may charge a fee, for adults who (i) have obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent, and (ii) require postsecondary developmental education that will enable such adults to enroll directly in a program of higher learning, as defined in § 10a-34, at an institution of higher education upon completion of such classes.

(b) (1) Prior to July 1, 2004, no providing school district shall grant an adult education diploma to any adult education program participant who has not satisfactorily completed a minimum of twenty adult education credits, of which not fewer than four shall be in English; not fewer than three in mathematics; not fewer than three in social studies, including one in American history; not fewer than two in science; and not fewer than one in the arts or vocational education. On and after July 1, 2004, no providing school district shall grant an adult education diploma to any adult education program participant who has not satisfactorily completed a minimum of twenty adult education credits, of which not fewer than four shall be in English; not fewer than three in mathematics; not fewer than three in social studies, including one in American history and at least a one-half credit course in civics and American government; not fewer than two in science; and not fewer than one in the arts or vocational education. (2) Each providing school district shall determine the minimum number of weeks per semester an adult education program shall operate and shall provide certified counseling staff to assist adult education program students with educational and career counseling.

(c) Providing school districts shall award:

(1) Credit for experiential learning, including: (A) Not more than two nonrequired credits for military experience, including training; (B) not more than one vocational education nonrequired and one required or not more than two nonrequired credits for occupational experience, including training; and (C) not more than one nonrequired credit for community service or avocational skills;

(2) Credit for successful completion of courses taken for credit at state-accredited institutions, including public and private community colleges, technical colleges, community-technical colleges, four-year colleges and universities and approved public and private high schools and technical education and career schools;

(3) Not more than six credits for satisfactory performance on subject matter tests demonstrating prior learning competencies; and

(4) Not more than three credits for independent study projects, provided that not more than one such credit shall be applied per subject area required pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.

(d) The State Board of Education may adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to establish standards and procedures governing the awarding of adult education credits for learning experiences pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. Any such regulations shall specify: (1) The procedures for awarding credits for military experience; (2) the types of occupational experience, occupational training and other specialized skills for which adult education credits may be granted; (3) the procedure for applying credits earned at accredited or approved educational institutions towards an adult education diploma; (4) the procedure for the administration of subject matter tests to assess prior learning competencies; and (5) the procedure for evaluating and awarding adult education credits for independent study projects.