158.7603 School-to-Careers Grant Program -- Authority for administrative regulations -- Advisory committee. (1) The School-to-Careers Grant Program shall be provided by the General Assembly to provide matching funds to school districts or consortia of school districts for the development and implementation of comprehensive plans that include: (a) A comprehensive career awareness and exploration program for all students in grades K-8 to include study of Kentucky's fourteen (14) career clusters; (b) High level academic and vocational courses for all secondary students to replace a general track curriculum; (c) A comprehensive career guidance program to assist all secondary students in developing individual graduation plans; (d) Applied academic instructional models for all disciplines and integration of academics and vocational education curriculum; (e) Implementation of industry skill standards within all relevant academic and vocational education programs; (f) Planned instructional programs to meet the needs of students with disabilities and other special needs students; (g) Opportunity for students to receive, in addition to a high school diploma, a Career Major Certificate upon completion of the high school graduation requirements, work-based learning experiences, specific course work, and a career culminating project; (h) Opportunity for students to participate in structured workbased learning; (i) Linkages with postsecondary institutions that create a smooth and seamless transition from secondary to postsecondary education; (j) Professional development for faculty and staff focused on developing integrated and applied curriculum; and (k) A School-to-Careers Partnership Council composed of representatives of business, labor, education agencies, parents, students, teachers, administrators, and community organizations. (2) The Kentucky Board of Education shall promulgate administrative regulations that set forth the request for proposal process, the criteria for grant awards, the responsibilities of local districts and consortia seeking matching funds, the level of funding available, and criteria for evaluating the success of the programs. (3) The Department of Education shall administer the funds and shall provide technical assistance to local districts and consortia in developing, implementing, and evaluating School-to-Careers programs. (4) The commissioner of education shall establish a state advisory committee composed of business, industry, labor, education, and government with a minimum of fifty- one percent (51%) of its membership from the employment sector to advise the department in the School-to-Careers program. The members shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary travel expenses. (5) The grant funds may be used to enhance on-going efforts such as Tech Prep, School-to-Work, and High Schools that Work initiatives. Effective: April 9, 1998 History: Created 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 444, sec. 2, effective April 9, 1998.