Lifelong and Continuing Education Act of 1979

Lifelong and Continuing Education Act of 1979 - Amends title I of the Higher Education Act of 1965: (1) to repeal provisions of such title dealing with community service and continuing education programs, including the National Advisory Council on Extension and Continuing Education; and (2) to establish a new title I "Lifelong and Continuing Education" which is to make education and training opportunities available to all citizens throughout life.

Authorizes appropriations for purposes of this Act through fiscal year 1985. Stipulates that ten percent of such appropriated funds shall be used for comprehensive State planning programs. Provides that individual, eligible States shall receive such funds based on population, with a minimum grant of $25,000. Authorizes a State to request that a part of its allotment be transferred to another State for certain purposes.

Requires that 75 percent of the appropriations authorized to carry out this Act be available to States, with specified State agreements, for: (1) planning, establishing, and operating educational and career services programs; and (2) grants to institutions and organizations. Sets forth required minimum amounts to be reserved to each individual State, with specified agreements, to pay the Federal share of the cost of such programs. Requires that the Federal share of such programs be 66 2/3 percent for any fiscal years.

Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants and enter into contracts with public and private agencies, institutions, organizations, businesses, labor, and individuals for specified projects and programs relating to lifelong and continuing education from 15 percent of the appropriations authorized to carry out this Act. Prohibits the award of such grants or contracts unless the Secretary has provided the appropriate State agency an opportunity to comment on the relevance of the proposed grant or contract to comprehensive statewide planning. Directs the Secretary to: (1) make a written determination prior to such award as to relevance to or consistency with such planning; and (2) consult with the National Advisory Council on Lifelong and Continuing Education on developing priorities and criteria for allocating funds for such Federal discretionary grants.

Requires States wishing to receive Federal funds for comprehensive planning programs and grants to institutions of higher education to submit an agreement. Sets forth guidelines for such agreements.

Transfers responsibility for continuing education programs from the Assistant Secretary to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) foster improved coordination of Federal support for lifelong and continuing education programs across Federal agencies; (2) maintain a clearinghouse for information on lifelong and continuing education; (3) study the removal of financial barriers to adult participation in such education; and (4) make a progress report to the President and the Congress.

Directs the President to appoint a National Advisory Council on Lifelong and Continuing Education within 90 days of enactment of this Act.

Repeals the Education Information grants to State programs provisions of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act through fiscal year 1985.