3602-D - Work-prep education program.

§ 3602-d. Work-prep  education  program.  1. Legislative findings. The  legislature recognizes that  rapid  technological  advances  and  global  economic competition demand increased levels of skilled career education  preparation  and readiness on the part of youths entering the workforce.  Effective strategies  reaching  beyond  the  boundaries  of  traditional  schooling  are  necessary to provide early and sustained intervention by  parents,  teachers,  and  educational  institutions  in  the  lives   of  students.  The  establishment of a work-prep education program requiring  systematic career education articulation  agreements  between  secondary  schools  and post-secondary educational institutions is such a strategy.  Youths participating in this program will develop the skills in  liberal  arts, basic academics, including literacy instruction, and career fields  necessary  to  acquire  an  associate degree or certificate increasingly  required for positions in the workforce.    2. Definitions. As used in this section:    (a) "Articulation agreement" shall mean a commitment between secondary  and  post-secondary  institutions  to  a  program  designed  to  provide  students   with   a  non-duplicative  sequence  of  courses  leading  to  competencies, as demonstrated by an associate degree or certificate,  in  an occupationally oriented field.    (b)  "Disadvantaged"  shall  mean  individuals (other than handicapped  individuals) who have economic or academic disadvantages and who require  special services and assistance in order to enable them  to  succeed  in  work-prep  programs.  Such term includes individuals who are: members of  economically  disadvantaged  families  as  set  forth   in   regulations  promulgated  by  the  department pursuant to sections sixty-four hundred  fifty-one and sixty-four hundred fifty-two of this  chapter  or  as  set  forth  in  the  Federal Job Training Partnership Act of nineteen hundred  eighty-two  (PL  97-300)  (29  U.S.C.A.  §  1501  et  seq.);   migrants;  individuals  who  have  limited English proficiency; and individuals who  are identified as potential dropouts from secondary school.    (c) "Work-prep education program" shall mean a combined secondary  and  post-secondary   program   which:   leads  to  an  associate  degree  or  certificate; provides preparation and  establishes  competencies  in  an  occupationally oriented field; and leads to employment.    (d)  "Occupationally  oriented  field"  shall  mean  applied  science,  engineering, health sciences, mechanical or industrial arts, and/or home  economics.    3. Work-prep education program. (a) The  commissioner  shall,  out  of  available  funds pursuant to the Federal Carl D. Perkins Act (PL 98-524)  and/or its successor, provide grants on a competitive basis, to pay  the  cost of activities authorized by this section to a consortia of:    (1)  school  districts,  local  education  agencies  and/or  boards of  cooperative educational services serving secondary students; and    (2) post-secondary  educational  agencies  which  offer  an  associate  degree program or certificate program.    (b)  Each consortia interested in initiating a work-prep program shall  submit a five year  plan  for  the  development  and  implementation  of  work-prep   activities.  At  a  minimum,  the  plan  shall  contain  the  following:    (1)  an  articulation  agreement  between  the  participants  in   the  consortium;    (2)  linkages  between  the  two  years  of secondary school preceding  graduation and post-secondary study. Such  linkage  must  incorporate  a  common  core of required proficiency in an occupationally oriented field  leading to an associate degree  or  certificate  in  a  specific  career  field;(3)   the   development  of  work-prep  education  program  curriculum  appropriate  to  the   needs   of   consortium   participants,   program  participants, and the business community;    (4)  the  development  of  specific measures to eliminate gender-based  bias in occupational recruitment, counseling, instruction, and placement  efforts;    (5) the provision of in-service training for  counselors  designed  to  enable   counselors  to  effectively:  recruit  students  for  work-prep  programs; ensure the student's successful completion of  such  programs;  and assist in the student's employment placement; and    (6)  performance  standards  creating  measures for evaluating program  success.    (c) The commissioner shall give special consideration to  applications  which:    (1) provide for effective employment placement activities;    (2) demonstrate a commitment to continue such program activities;    (3)  include  the  input  of  business,  industry, labor unions, joint  apprenticeship   committees,   and   employers   conducting   registered  apprenticeship programs, in its development; and    (4)  address  the  issues of dropout prevention, disadvantaged youths,  and handicapped youths.    4. Apportionment of funds. (a)  Allowable  costs  under  this  section  shall  include  expenses  related  to  the  coordination, administration  and/or delivery of the work-prep program such as: costs  of  assessment,  guidance,  and  instructional materials; purchase of equipment; personal  services associated  with  joint  curriculum  planning  and  development  activities;  and costs of in-service training for participating teachers  and guidance counselors.    (b) Moneys  appropriated  under  this  section  shall  be  apportioned  ensuring  an  equitable  distribution of assistance throughout the state  and among both urban and rural participants.