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157.072 Career and technical education accessibility fund.
(1)
(2)
For purposes of this section:
(a) "Career academy" means a small learning community within a larger high
school that:
1.
Consists of a heterogeneous group of students taking classes together for
at least two (2) years and who are taught by a team of teachers from
different disciplines;
2.
Provides a college-preparatory academic curriculum based on a career
theme that helps students see relationships and connections between
academic subjects and their applications in specific career pathways and
in broad career areas such as health science, business, pre-engineering,
agribusiness, and advanced manufacturing; and
3.
Provides opportunities through partnerships with employers, colleges,
and the community for students to engage in internships and work-based
learning with adult mentors to motivate students to achieve;
(b) "Career guidance coach" means a person who is assigned one hundred percent
(100%) of his or her time to:
1.
The development of students', teachers', and parents' understanding of
broad career themes and opportunities through career pathways;
2.
Academic advising and career counseling;
3.
Assisting students in the development of individual learning plans; and
4.
Providing assistance to other teachers;
(c) "Career pathway" means a coherent, articulated sequence of rigorous
academic and career-related courses, commencing in ninth grade and leading
to an associate degree, an industry-recognized certificate or license, or a
baccalaureate or higher degree. A career pathway is developed, implemented,
and maintained in partnership among secondary and postsecondary education
institutions, businesses, and employers. Career pathways are available to all
students, including adult learners, and are designed to lead to rewarding
careers; and
(d) "Career pathway program of study" means a coherent, articulated sequence of
rigorous academic and career and technical education courses, including dual
credit opportunities, that prepares secondary students for postsecondary study
leading to postsecondary degrees, industry certifications, or licensure.
There is hereby created a trust and agency account to be known as the career and
technical education accessibility fund, to be administered by the Kentucky
Department of Education. The fund shall consist of proceeds from grants, federal
funds, contributions, appropriations, or other moneys made available for the
purposes of the fund. The fund shall provide grants to be used for:
(a) The development of career pathways and programs of study in high-demand
occupational fields for students in middle schools and high schools; and
(b) The establishment of career academies in secondary schools. Each career
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
academy shall employ general education faculty who teach the academic core
content and career and technical education faculty who focus the majority of
the content around a broad career area and, when possible, employ career
guidance coaches to advise students. Career academies shall provide students
an opportunity to earn a high school diploma and simultaneously earn
postsecondary education credit. They shall also provide opportunities to earn
industry certification in high-demand fields, including biotechnology,
environmental sustainability, agriculture, health, engineering, information
technology, and other emerging career areas.
The grants may be used within a high school facility, career and technical education
center, or in an area technology center.
The programs may, based on written policies of the education institution in
consultation with and approval of the Kentucky Community and Technical College
System, serve adult learners who may have interrupted their secondary education
and wish to reenter a program or adults who wish to pursue initial study in a career
and technical education field.
Funds shall be distributed through a grant program to eligible school districts and
the Kentucky Tech System on a matching basis as funds are available.
Financial gifts and in-kind contributions from any business or industry, a
community college, or other entity may be accepted to meet the matching
requirements based on criteria established by the Kentucky Board of Education.
Pursuant to KRS Chapter 13A, the Kentucky Board of Education shall promulgate
administrative regulations that specify the:
(a) Eligibility requirements for participation in the grant program. Low graduation
rates, as determined in accordance with the methodology established by the
National Center for Education Statistics, shall be high priority for
participation in the grant program;
(b) Matching requirements;
(c) Application and review process;
(d) Accountability and data requirements for grant recipients;
(e) Procedures for the reallocation of any unused fund balance;
(f) Grant continuation requirements; and
(g) Other components essential to the implementation of this section.
Notwithstanding KRS 45.229, any unused balance in the career and technical
education accessibility fund shall not lapse but shall be carried forward into the next
fiscal year and used only for the purposes described in subsection (2) of this section.
Any interest earnings of the fund shall become a part of the fund and shall not lapse.
Moneys in the fund are hereby appropriated for the purposes set forth in this
section.
Schools receiving grants shall have an active local advisory council comprised of
industry leaders and employers and postsecondary education faculty to provide
input on long-range goals for career and technical education.
(10) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a school that has begun the implementation of
a career pathway or a career academy prior to April 19, 2012, from qualifying for
funds under this section.
Effective: April 19, 2012
History: Created 2012 Ky. Acts ch. 150, sec. 5, effective April 19, 2012.
Legislative Research Commission Note (4/19/2012). 2012 Ky. Acts ch. 150, sec. 10,
provides that the Act, which included the creation of this statute, shall be known as
the "Career Pathways Act of 2012."
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