(1) As used in this section: (a) "College and career counseling" means: (i) nurturing college and career aspirations; (ii) assisting students in planning an academic program that connects to college and career goals; (iii) providing early and ongoing exposure to information necessary to make informed decisions when selecting a college and career; (iv) promoting participation in college and career assessments; (v) providing financial aid information; and (vi) increasing understanding about college admission processes. (b) "LEA" or "local education agency" means a school district or charter school.

(a) "College and career counseling" means: (i) nurturing college and career aspirations; (ii) assisting students in planning an academic program that connects to college and career goals; (iii) providing early and ongoing exposure to information necessary to make informed decisions when selecting a college and career; (iv) promoting participation in college and career assessments; (v) providing financial aid information; and (vi) increasing understanding about college admission processes.

(i) nurturing college and career aspirations;

(ii) assisting students in planning an academic program that connects to college and career goals;

(iii) providing early and ongoing exposure to information necessary to make informed decisions when selecting a college and career;

(iv) promoting participation in college and career assessments;

(v) providing financial aid information; and

(vi) increasing understanding about college admission processes.

(b) "LEA" or "local education agency" means a school district or charter school.

(2) There is created the Strengthening College and Career Readiness Program, a grant program for LEAs, to improve students' college and career readiness through enhancing the skill level of school counselors to provide college and career counseling.

(3) The state board shall: (a) on or before August 1, 2015, collaborate with the State Board of Regents, and business, community, and education stakeholders to develop a certificate for school counselors that: (i) certifies that a school counselor is highly skilled at providing college and career counseling; and (ii) is aligned with the Utah Comprehensive Counseling and Guidance Program as defined in rules established by the state board; (b) subject to legislative appropriations, award grants to LEAs, on a competitive basis, for payment of course fees for courses required to earn the certificate developed by the state board under Subsection (3)(a); and (c) make rules specifying: (i) procedures for applying for and awarding grants under this section; (ii) criteria for awarding grants; and (iii) reporting requirements for grantees.

(a) on or before August 1, 2015, collaborate with the State Board of Regents, and business, community, and education stakeholders to develop a certificate for school counselors that: (i) certifies that a school counselor is highly skilled at providing college and career counseling; and (ii) is aligned with the Utah Comprehensive Counseling and Guidance Program as defined in rules established by the state board;

(i) certifies that a school counselor is highly skilled at providing college and career counseling; and

(ii) is aligned with the Utah Comprehensive Counseling and Guidance Program as defined in rules established by the state board;

(b) subject to legislative appropriations, award grants to LEAs, on a competitive basis, for payment of course fees for courses required to earn the certificate developed by the state board under Subsection (3)(a); and

(c) make rules specifying: (i) procedures for applying for and awarding grants under this section; (ii) criteria for awarding grants; and (iii) reporting requirements for grantees.

(i) procedures for applying for and awarding grants under this section;

(ii) criteria for awarding grants; and

(iii) reporting requirements for grantees.

(4) An LEA that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant for payment of course fees for courses required to attain the certificate as determined by the state board under Subsection (3)(a).