NY Educ L § 3602-D (2021)
2021 New York Laws EDN - Education Title 5 - Taxation and Financial Administration Article 73 - Apportionment of Public Moneys Part 1 - General Provisions 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;  English language  learners;  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 next  generation  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.