SEC. 103. DUTIES.
The National Board shall—
(1) work with employers and educators to es-
tablish, through a broad public process, voluntary
national standards that will identify the generic
workplace readiness skills which employers agree
that students should have upon completion of high
school;
(2) in developing such standards, take into con-
sideration current work in this area undertaken
under other auspices, including activities carried out
under title II;
(3) consult with industry-specific occupational
boards formulate work-ready skills standards;
(4) conduct research and evaluation activities
necessary to determine the relationship between pos-
session of skills and increased work performance;
(5) update such skills as the skill requirements
of the economy change;
(6) conduct research and demonstration activi-
ties which include the development and testing of
models for integrating skills into the school-based
learning in the K–12 grades, giving priority to mod-
els which integrate academic and workplace instruc-
tion beginning in elementary school grades;
(7) release draft standards for broad review and
comment, and ensure the input of a broad range of
employers including small businesses;
(8) once the final standards have been approved
by the National Board, work with consortia of em-
ployers, labor, and education representatives to in-
corporate the standards into State and local sys-
temic education reform efforts; and
(9) recommend procedures for the dissemina-
tion of information and the provision of technical as-
sistance to consortia of business, labor, and edu-
cation.
SEC. 104. COMPOSITION.
The National Board shall be composed of 23 mem-
bers appointed in accordance with section 105, represent-
ing business and industry, labor, education, and local gov-
ernment. The National Board shall reflect a broad range
of businesses, including representatives from the manufac-
turing, financial, and service sectors.
SEC. 105. MEMBERSHIP.
Members of the National Board shall be appointed
as follows:
(1) 7 members, of which at least 3 shall be
Baldrige Award winners, shall be appointed by the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, upon rec-
ommendations of the majority and minority leaders
of the House, respectively.
(2) 7 members, of which at least 3 shall be
Baldrige Award winners, shall be appointed by the
President pro tempore of the Senate, upon rec-
ommendations of the majority and minority leaders
of the Senate, respectively.
(3) 7 members, of which at least 3 shall be
Baldrige Award winners, shall be appointed by the
President of the United States.
SEC. 106. EX OFFICIO MEMBERS.
The Secretary of education and the Secretary of
Labor shall serve as ex officio members of the National
Board.
SEC. 107. TERMS OF APPOINTEES.
(a) INITIAL APPOINTMENTS.—The members of the
National Board appointed under paragraph 1 of section
105 shall be appointed for a term of 3 years, the members
appointed under paragraph 2 of section 105 shall be ap-
pointed for a term of 4 years, and the members appointed
under paragraph 3 of section 105 shall be appointed for
a term of 5 years.
(b) SUBSEQUENT TERMS.—After the terms under
subsection (a) are served, each member appointed subse-
quently shall be appointed for a 3-year term.
SEC. 108. CHAIRPERSON.
The National Board shall annually elect a Chair-
person from among its members who shall serve for a term
of 1 year.
SEC. 109. COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES.
(a) COMPENSATION.—Members of the National
Board shall serve without compensation.
(b) EXPENSES.—While away from their homes or
regular places of business on the business of the National
Board, members of the Board may be allowed travel ex-
penses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as is au-
thorized under section 5703 of title 5, United States Code.
(c) STAFF.—The National Board shall appoint an
Executive Director who shall be compensated at a rate de-
termined by the National Board not to exceed level 15 of
the General Schedule under title 5, United States Code,
and who may appoint such staff as is necessary.
TITLE II—SCHOOL-TO-WORK
TRANSITION PROGRAMS
SEC. 201. PURPOSE.
It is the purpose of this title to develop school-to-work
transition programs which provide students with the edu-
cation and skills necessary to enter the workplace ready
to perform and able to attain a satisfactory standard of
living.
SEC. 202. GRANT AUTHORIZATION.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary is authorized to
make grants to local educational agencies to develop, im-
plement, or expand programs which integrate workplace
skills into the regular school curriculum in order to facili-
tate the transition from school to work.
(b) EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF ASSISTANCE.—In
approving grants under this title, the Secretary shall as-
sure an equitable distribution of assistance among the
States and among urban and rural areas of the States.
SEC. 203. APPLICATIONS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—A local educational agency that
desires to receive a grant under this title shall submit an
application to the Secretary at such time, in such form,
and containing such information that the Secretary may
reasonably require.
(b) CONTENTS OF APPLICATION.—Such application
shall include—
(1) the composition of the business/industry/
labor partnership with which the local education
agency will work to develop and implement an effec-
tive school-to-work transition program;
(2) a description of how funds will be used;
(3) a description of how the program will be co-
ordinated with K–12 vocational educational pro-
grams; and
(4) an assurance that the applicant shall main-
tain data and information regarding the program,
including the number of students served.
SEC. 204. USES OF FUNDS.
(a) REQUIREMENTS.—Grants made available under
this title shall be used by local educational agencies work-
ing to develop and implement comprehensive school-to-
work transition which shall include processes and proce-
dures for—
(1) enabling students to gain a better under-
standing of skill necessary for the workplace through
work site visits, demonstrating and using of business
technologies in the classroom, and bringing rep-
resentatives of business and organized labor into the
classroom;
(2) developing or adopting curricula and in-
structional materials which incorporate generic
workplace skills;
(3) expanding opportunities for students to
enter career preparation programs that integrate
academic instruction with workplace instruction;
(4) providing career guidance counselors to as-
sist students seeking job placement or further occu-
pational specific education; and
(5) professional development strategies for
teachers, principals, counselors, and other school
personnel to further the purposes of this title.
(b) OPTIONAL
ACTIVITIES.—A local educational
agency may—
(1) initiate a flexible school schedule to enable
students to spend adequate time in the classroom
and at the workplace; and
(2) design programs which enhance opportuni-
ties for students to enter into programs leading to
an associate degree in an occupational field or pro-
gram authorized under part E, title III of the Carl
Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Edu-
cation Act.
SEC. 205. ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS.
(a) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of a grant
under this title may not exceed—
(1) 90 percent of the total cost of a project for
the first year for which the project receives assist-
ance under this title, and
(2) 75 percent of such cost for the second such
year and each subsequent year.
(b) OTHER SOURCES.—The share of payments from
sources other than funds appropriated under this title may
be in cash or in-kind fairly evaluated.
SEC. 206. REPORTING.
(a) REPORTS TO SECRETARY.—A local educational
agency that receives a grant under this title shall submit
a report to the Secretary each year.
(b) REPORT
TO
THE CONGRESS.—The Secretary
shall submit to the Congress a biannual report.
SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1993 and such sums
as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 1994,
1995, 1996, and 1997 for grants to local educational
agencies for the development and implementation of pro-
grams under this title to assist students to make the tran-
sition from school to work.
(b) FUNDS FOR NATIONAL BOARD.—Of the funds
authorized under subsection (a), 5 percent shall be re-
served for activities authorized under title I of this Act.
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