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Plan: Puerto Rico PYs 2020-2023
Unified Plan U

Section: Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth Activities

Narrative: c. 6.

Published
Located in:

c. 6. If using the basic skills deficient definition contained in WIOA Section 3(5)(B), include the State definition which must further define how to determine if an individual is 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. If not using the portion of the definition contained in WIOA Section 3(5)(B), indicate that is the case.

Current Narrative:

Puerto Rico is using the basic skills deficient definition as contained in WIOA sec. 3(5). The term "basic skills deficient” means a youth that: has English reading, writing, or computing skills at or below the 8th grade level on a generally accepted standardized test; or is unable to compute or solve problems, read, write, or speak English at a level necessary to function on the job, in the individual’s family, or in society.

Compliance issue

Request:  Puerto Rico must include a detailed description of the state's basic skills deficient definition.

As included in WIOA Section 3(5)(B):

The term "basic skills deficient" means, concerning an individual -

  • who is a youth, that the individual has English reading, writing, or computing skills at or below the 8th grade level on a generally accepted standardized test; or
  • who is a youth or adult, that the individual is 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.

An adult may be assessed as deficient in basic knowledge through observations by the case manager and documented in case notes. For example, the case manager may observe that the adult is not able to read or fill out an application form or have basic computer skills. It is expected that any such basic skills deficiencies will be determined by an objective, valid, and reliable assessment. There are several methods for evaluating basic skills. Each local area must use the test tabulation to classify the participant's performance levels. The participant's file must contain an academic test (including the participant's name, date of test, and results).