(1) The major purposes of adult education in the state of Washington, as addressed in this chapter and in the applicable rules of the state board for community and technical colleges, are to raise the educational level of adults in the state who have not obtained an education consistent with their ability to learn and to provide adults disadvantaged through lack of a high school diploma with the opportunity to complete their high school education and to obtain proper recognition for it.

(2) The authority for this chapter is RCW 28A.230.090 and 28B.50.535, which authorizes and requires the state board of education to establish state minimum high school graduation requirements.

For the purpose of this chapter "adult education" shall be defined as set forth in RCW 28B.50.030 which provides as follows: "Adult education" shall mean all education or instruction, including academic, vocational education or training, basic skills and literacy training, and "occupational education" (chapter 180-51 WAC) provided by public educational institutions and community-based organizations, including common school districts for persons who are eighteen years of age and over or who hold a high school diploma or certificate: However, "adult education" shall not include academic education or instruction for persons under twenty-one years of age who do not hold a high school degree or diploma and who are attending a public high school for the sole purpose of obtaining a high school diploma or certificate: Nor shall "adult education" include education or instruction provided by any four year public institution of higher education.

A community or technical college district and a common school district under provisions of RCW 28B.50.530 may enter into an agreement for the conduct of an adult education program by the common school district on behalf of the community or technical college district when such program will not conflict with an existing program of the same nature and in the same geographical area conducted by the community or technical college district: Such program shall be established, administered and operated in accordance with rules, procedures and guidelines prescribed by the state board for community and technical colleges and WAC 180-51-050 (3) and (4).

It is the responsibility of the executive director of community and technical colleges to administer the programs of adult education supported in whole or in part by federal moneys made available for such purpose to the state board of community and technical colleges, and to authorize the operation of such programs by the common school districts of the state in accordance with procedures established by the state board of community and technical colleges: Provided, That the administration and operation of such adult education programs shall be consistent with the policy hereinbefore in WAC 180-72-040 set forth.