20 U.S.C. § 2344

Current through P.L. 118-106 (published on www.congress.gov on 10/04/2024)
Section 2344 - State leadership activities
(a) General authority

From amounts reserved under section 2322(a)(2) of this title, each eligible agency shall-

(1) conduct State leadership activities to improve career and technical education, which shall include support for-
(A) preparation for non-traditional fields in current and emerging professions, programs for special populations, and other activities that expose students, including special populations, to high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand occupations;
(B) individuals in State institutions, such as State correctional institutions, including juvenile justice facilities, and educational institutions that serve individuals with disabilities;
(C) recruiting, preparing, or retaining career and technical education teachers, faculty, specialized instructional support personnel, or paraprofessionals, such as preservice, professional development, or leadership development programs; and
(D) technical assistance for eligible recipients; and
(2) report on the effectiveness of such use of funds in achieving the goals described in section 2342(d)(2) of this title and the State determined levels of performance described in section 2323(b)(3)(A) of this title, and reducing disparities or performance gaps as described in section 2323(b)(3)(C)(ii)(II) of this title.
(b) Permissible uses of funds

The State leadership activities described in subsection (a) may include-

(1) developing statewide programs of study, which may include standards, curriculum, and course development, and career exploration, guidance, and advisement activities and resources;
(2) approving locally developed programs of study that meet the requirements established in section 2342(d)(4)(B) of this title;
(3) establishing statewide articulation agreements aligned to approved programs of study;
(4) establishing statewide industry or sector partnerships among local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, adult education providers, Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations that may be present in the State, employers, including small businesses, and parents, as appropriate to-
(A) develop and implement programs of study aligned to State and local economic and education needs, including, as appropriate, in-demand industry sectors and occupations;
(B) facilitate the establishment, expansion, and integration of opportunities for students at the secondary level to-
(i) successfully complete coursework that integrates rigorous and challenging technical and academic instruction aligned with the challenging State academic standards adopted by the State under section 1111(b)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 [20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(1)] ; and
(ii) earn a recognized postsecondary credential or credit toward a recognized postsecondary credential, which may be earned through a dual or concurrent enrollment program or early college high school, at no cost to the student or the student's family; and
(C) facilitate work-based learning opportunities (including internships, externships, and simulated work environments) into programs of study;
(5) for teachers, faculty, specialized instructional support personnel, and paraprofessionals providing career and technical education instruction, support services, and specialized instructional support services, high-quality comprehensive professional development that is, to the extent practicable, grounded in evidence-based research (to the extent a State determines that such evidence is reasonably available) that identifies the most effective educator professional development process and is coordinated and aligned with other professional development activities carried out by the State (including under title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 [20 U.S.C. 6601 et seq.] and title II of the Higher Education Act of 1965 [20 U.S.C. 1021 et seq.]), including programming that-
(A) promotes the integration of the challenging State academic standards adopted by the State under section 1111(b)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 [20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(1)] and relevant technical knowledge and skills, including programming jointly delivered to academic and career and technical education teachers;
(B) prepares career and technical education teachers, faculty, specialized instructional support personnel, and paraprofessionals to provide appropriate accommodations for students who are members of special populations, including through the use of principles of universal design for learning, multi-tier systems of supports, and positive behavioral interventions and support; and
(C) increases the ability of teachers, faculty, specialized instructional support personnel, and paraprofessionals providing career and technical education instruction to stay current with industry standards and earn an industry-recognized credential or license, as appropriate, including by assisting those with relevant industry experience in obtaining State teacher licensure or credential requirements;
(6) supporting eligible recipients in eliminating inequities in student access to-
(A) high-quality programs of study that provide skill development; and
(B) effective teachers, faculty, specialized instructional support personnel, and paraprofessionals;
(7) awarding incentive grants to eligible recipients-
(A) for exemplary performance in carrying out programs under this chapter, which awards shall be based on-
(i) eligible recipients exceeding the local level of performance on a core indicator of performance established under section 2323(b)(4)(A) of this title in a manner that reflects sustained or significant improvement;
(ii) eligible recipients effectively developing connections between secondary education and postsecondary education and training;
(iii) the integration of academic and technical standards;
(iv) eligible recipients' progress in closing achievement gaps among subpopulations who participate in programs of study; or
(v) other factors relating to the performance of eligible recipients under this chapter as the eligible agency determines are appropriate; or
(B) if an eligible recipient elects to use funds as permitted under section 2355(c) of this title;
(8) providing support for-
(A) the adoption and integration of recognized postsecondary credentials and work-based learning into programs of study, and for increasing data collection associated with recognized postsecondary credentials and employment outcomes; or
(B) consultation and coordination with other State agencies for the identification and examination of licenses or certifications that-
(i) pose an unwarranted barrier to entry into the workforce for career and technical education students; and
(ii) do not protect the health, safety, or welfare of consumers;
(9) the creation, implementation, and support of pay for success initiatives leading to a recognized postsecondary credential;
(10) support for career and technical education programs for adults and out-of-school youth concurrent with their completion of their secondary school education in a school or other educational setting;
(11) the creation, evaluation, and support of competency-based curricula;
(12) support for the development, implementation, and expansion of programs of study or career pathways in areas declared to be in a state of emergency under section 5191 of title 42;
(13) partnering with qualified intermediaries to improve training, the development of public-private partnerships, systems development, capacity-building, and scalability of the delivery of high-quality career and technical education;
(14) improvement of career guidance and academic counseling programs that assist students in making informed academic and career and technical education decisions, including academic and financial aid counseling;
(15) support for the integration of employability skills into career and technical education programs and programs of study;
(16) support for programs and activities that increase access, student engagement, and success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields (including computer science, coding, and architecture), support for the integration of arts and design skills, and support for hands-on learning, particularly for students who are members of groups underrepresented in such subject fields, such as female students, minority students, and students who are members of special populations;
(17) support for career and technical student organizations, especially with respect to efforts to increase the participation of students in nontraditional fields and students who are members of special populations;
(18) support for establishing and expanding work-based learning opportunities that are aligned to career and technical education programs and programs of study;
(19) integrating and aligning programs of study and career pathways;
(20) supporting the use of career and technical education programs and programs of study aligned with State, regional, or local high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations identified by the State workforce development board described in section 3111 of title 29 or local workforce development boards;
(21) making all forms of instructional content widely available, which may include use of open educational resources;
(22) developing valid and reliable assessments of competencies and technical skills and enhancing data systems to collect and analyze data on secondary and postsecondary academic and employment outcomes;
(23) support for accelerated learning programs, as described in section 4104(b)(3)(A)(i)(IV) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 [20 U.S.C. 7114(b)(3)(A)(i)(IV)], in the case of any such program that is part of a career and technical education program of study;
(24) support for career academies to implement a postsecondary education and workforce-ready curriculum at the secondary education level that integrates rigorous academic, technical, and employability contents through career and technical education programs and programs of study that address needs described in the comprehensive needs assessment under section 2354(c) of this title; and
(25) other State leadership activities that improve career and technical education.
(c) Restriction on uses of funds

An eligible agency that receives funds under section 2322(a)(2) of this title may not use any of such funds for administrative costs, unless expressly authorized under subsection (a).

20 U.S.C. § 2344

Pub. L. 88-210, title I, §124, as added Pub. L. 109-270, §1(b), Aug. 12, 2006, 120 Stat. 723; amended Pub. L. 113-128, §512, 128 Stat. 1707; Pub. L. 114-95, §9215, 129 Stat. 2170; Pub. L. 115-224, §124, 132 Stat. 1608.

EDITORIAL NOTES

REFERENCES IN TEXTThe Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, referred to in subsec. (b)(5), is Pub. L. 89-10, Apr. 11, 1965, 79 Stat. 27, as amended. Title II of the Act is classified generally to subchapter II (§6601 et seq.) of chapter 70 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 6301 of this title and Tables. The Higher Education Act of 1965, referred to in subsec. (b)(5), is Pub. L. 89-329, Nov. 8, 1965, 79 Stat. 1219, as amended. Title II of the Act is classified generally to subchapter II (§1021 et seq.) of chapter 28 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1001 of this title and Tables.

PRIOR PROVISIONSA prior section 2344, Pub. L. 88-210, title I, §124, as added Pub. L. 105-332, §1(b), Oct. 31, 1998, 112 Stat. 3107, related to State leadership activities, prior to the general amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 109-270.

AMENDMENTS2018-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115-224, §124(1), substituted "shall-" for "shall conduct State leadership activities." and added pars. (1) and (2). Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115-224, §124(2), substituted "Permissible" for "Required" in heading and "may" for "shall" in introductory provisions, added pars. (1) to (25), and struck out former pars. (1) to (9) which set out activities required to be included in State leadership activities. Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 115-224, §124(3) -(5), redesignated subsec. (d) as (c), inserted ", unless expressly authorized under subsection (a)" before period at end, and struck out former subsec. (c) which set out permissible uses of funds for State leadership activities. 2015-Subsec. (b)(4)(A). Pub. L. 114-95 substituted "a well-rounded education (as defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965)" for "the core academic subjects (as defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965)".2014-Subsec. (c)(13). Pub. L. 113-128 substituted "such as through referral to the system established under section 3151 of title 29" for "such as through referral to the system established under section 2841 of title 29".

STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2018 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 115-224 effective July 1, 2019, see section 4 of Pub. L. 115-224, set out as a note under section 2301 of this title.

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2015 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 114-95 effective Dec. 10, 2015, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see section 5 of Pub. L. 114-95, set out as a note under section 6301 of this title.

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2014 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 113-128 effective on the first day of the first full program year after July 22, 2014 (July 1, 2015), see section 506 of Pub. L. 113-128, set out as an Effective Date note under section 3101 of Title 29, Labor.

career and technical education
The term "career and technical education" means organized educational activities that-(A) offer a sequence of courses that-(i) provides individuals with rigorous academic content and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in current or emerging professions, which may include high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations, which shall be, at the secondary level, aligned with the challenging State academic standards adopted by a State under section 6311(b)(1) of this title;(ii) provides technical skill proficiency or a recognized postsecondary credential, which may include an industry-recognized credential, a certificate, or an associate degree; and(iii) may include prerequisite courses (other than a remedial course) that meet the requirements of this subparagraph;(B) include competency-based, work-based, or other applied learning that supports the development of academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of an industry, including entrepreneurship, of an individual;(C) to the extent practicable, coordinate between secondary and postsecondary education programs through programs of study, which may include coordination through articulation agreements, early college high school programs, dual or concurrent enrollment program opportunities, or other credit transfer agreements that provide postsecondary credit or advanced standing; and(D) may include career exploration at the high school level or as early as the middle grades (as such term is defined in section 7801 of this title).
career guidance and academic counseling
The term "career guidance and academic counseling" means guidance and counseling that-(A) provides access for students (and, as appropriate, parents and out-of-school youth) to information regarding career awareness exploration opportunities and planning with respect to an individual's occupational and academic future;(B) provides information to students (and, as appropriate, parents and out-of-school youth) with respect to career options, financial aid, job training, secondary and postsecondary options (including associate and baccalaureate degree programs), dual or concurrent enrollment programs, work-based learning opportunities, early college high schools, financial literacy, and support services, as appropriate; and(C) may provide assistance for special populations with respect to direct support services that enable students to persist in and complete career and technical education, programs of study, or career pathways.
eligible agency
The term "eligible agency" means a State board designated or created consistent with State law as the sole State agency responsible for the administration of career and technical education in the State or for the supervision of the administration of career and technical education in the State.
eligible recipient
The term "eligible recipient" means-(A) a local educational agency (including a public charter school that operates as a local educational agency), an area career and technical education school, an educational service agency, an Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or Tribal educational agency or a consortium, eligible to receive assistance under section 2351 of this title; or(B) an eligible institution or consortium of eligible institutions eligible to receive assistance under section 2352 of this title.
individuals with disabilities
The term "individuals with disabilities" means more than 1 individual with a disability.
non-traditional fields
The term "non-traditional fields" means occupations or fields of work, such as careers in computer science, technology, and other current and emerging high skill occupations, for which individuals from one gender comprise less than 25 percent of the individuals employed in each such occupation or field of work.
professional development
The term "professional development" means activities that-(A) are an integral part of eligible agency, eligible recipient, institution, or school strategies for providing educators (including teachers, principals, other school leaders, administrators, specialized instructional support personnel, career guidance and academic counselors, and paraprofessionals) with the knowledge and skills necessary to enable students to succeed in career and technical education, to meet challenging State academic standards under section 6311(b)(1) of this title, or to achieve academic skills at the postsecondary level; and(B) are sustained (not stand-alone, 1-day, or short-term workshops), intensive, collaborative, job-embedded, data-driven, and classroom-focused, to the extent practicable evidence-based, and may include activities that-(i) improve and increase educators'-(I) knowledge of the academic and technical subjects;(II) understanding of how students learn; and(III) ability to analyze student work and achievement from multiple sources, including how to adjust instructional strategies, assessments, and materials based on such analysis;(ii) are an integral part of eligible recipients' improvement plans;(iii) allow personalized plans for each educator to address the educator's specific needs identified in observation or other feedback;(iv) support the recruitment, hiring, and training of effective educators, including educators who became certified through State and local alternative routes to certification;(v) advance educator understanding of-(I) effective instructional strategies that are evidence-based; and(II) strategies for improving student academic and technical achievement or substantially increasing the knowledge and teaching skills of educators;(vi) are developed with extensive participation of educators, parents, students, and representatives of Indian Tribes (as applicable), of schools and institutions served under this chapter;(vii) are designed to give educators of students who are English learners in career and technical education programs or programs of study the knowledge and skills to provide instruction and appropriate language and academic support services to those students, including the appropriate use of curricula and assessments;(viii) as a whole, are regularly evaluated for their impact on increased educator effectiveness and improved student academic and technical achievement, with the findings of the evaluations used to improve the quality of professional development;(ix) are designed to give educators of individuals with disabilities in career and technical education programs or programs of study the knowledge and skills to provide instruction and academic support services to those individuals, including positive behavioral interventions and supports, multi-tier system of supports, and use of accommodations;(x) include instruction in the use of data and assessments to inform and instruct classroom practice;(xi) include instruction in ways that educators may work more effectively with parents and families;(xii) provide follow-up training to educators who have participated in activities described in this paragraph that are designed to ensure that the knowledge and skills learned by the educators are implemented in the classroom;(xiii) promote the integration of academic knowledge and skills and relevant technical knowledge and skills, including programming jointly delivered to academic and career and technical education teachers; or(xiv) increase the ability of educators providing career and technical education instruction to stay current with industry standards.
program of study
The term "program of study" means a coordinated, nonduplicative sequence of academic and technical content at the secondary and postsecondary level that-(A) incorporates challenging State academic standards, including those adopted by a State under section 6311(b)(1) of this title;(B) addresses both academic and technical knowledge and skills, including employability skills;(C) is aligned with the needs of industries in the economy of the State, region, Tribal community, or local area;(D) progresses in specificity (beginning with all aspects of an industry or career cluster and leading to more occupation-specific instruction);(E) has multiple entry and exit points that incorporate credentialing; and(F) culminates in the attainment of a recognized postsecondary credential.
special populations
The term "special populations" means-(A) individuals with disabilities;(B) individuals from economically disadvantaged families, including low-income youth and adults;(C) individuals preparing for non-traditional fields;(D) single parents, including single pregnant women;(E) out-of-workforce individuals;(F) English learners;(G) homeless individuals described in section 11434a of title 42;(H) youth who are in, or have aged out of, the foster care system; and(I) youth with a parent who-(i) is a member of the armed forces (as such term is defined in section 101(a)(4) of title 10); and(ii) is on active duty (as such term is defined in section 101(d)(1) of such title).
support services
The term "support services" means services related to curriculum modification, equipment modification, classroom modification, supportive personnel (including paraprofessionals and specialized instructional support personnel), and instructional aids and devices.
work-based learning
The term "work-based learning" means sustained interactions with industry or community professionals in real workplace settings, to the extent practicable, or simulated environments at an educational institution that foster in-depth, firsthand engagement with the tasks required in a given career field, that are aligned to curriculum and instruction.