Q&A - Age & Limits (Administrators) - California Adult Education Program

AEP Questions and Answers

This is a collection of questions that are most frequently asked of the AEP Office. They are organized by topic area and will be updated as needed.

Age & Limits

Age & Limits (3)

Q13 AEBG legislation states that an adult means 18 years or older. How do we determine when to record the age of an AEBG student? (a) The age of the student at the beginning of the fiscal year, July 1, (b) A seventeen year old student that will turn 18 during the program year, (c) The age of the student at program entry, or (d) The age of the student at program exit.

It is their age upon program entry.

Q14 In the guidelines, it is clearly spelled out that consortia are serving students older than 18 years old. Are there exceptions? According to CA law, a pregnant teenager who lives independently (without support from family or caretaker) counts as emancipated/adult. Would that be an acceptable exception for AEP? Are there others?

The CDE is conducting an education code review - and once they verify which education code is still valid for adult school enrollment expectations- the AEP office will release it through the program guidance. Until then, the 18 years old is the only requirement right now on the K12 side. Community College education code allows for schools to go to their local board and ask for approval on a case by case basis for exceptions to the age requirement.

Q15 Also, are there circumstances in which a 17 year old teen mom that dropped out of school be allowed to enroll in adult school to prepare for the high school equivalency exam?

Yes a teen mom is considered emancipated and can attend an adult school. Be advised that all special accommodation and services must be available for these students. You should consult your legal office for extenuating circumstances that go beyond Education Code and into health and safety regulations.