Policy 6178 - Instructional Programs

Rule 6178

Perkins Basic Grants for Career Technical Education

For any district program of career technical education (CTE) funded through a basic grant of the federal Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical act, the district shall submit to the California Department of Education a district-wide plan addressing the components specified in 20 UCS 2354 and any additional requirements specified in the state plan developed pursuant to 20 USC 2342. The multi-year district plan shall cover the same time period covered by the state plan.

The district shall offer at least one CTE program of study which shall:

1. Improve the academic and career technical skills of participating students by integrating coherent and rigorous academic content and relevant CTE programs.
2. Link CTE at the secondary and postsecondary levels through at least one of the strategies specified in 20 USC 2342.
3. Provide students with strong experience in and understanding of all aspects of an industry, which may include work-based learning experiences.
4. Develop, improve, or expand the use of technology in CTE.
5. Provide professional development to teachers, administrators, and career guidance and academic counselors who are involved with integrated CTE programs.
6. Develop and implement program evaluations, including an assessment of how the needs of special populations, as defined in 20 USC 2302 and Board policy, are being met.
7. Initiate, improve, expand, and modernize quality CTE programs, including relevant technology.
8. Provide services and activities that are of sufficient size, scope, and quality to be effective.
9. Provide activities to prepare special population for high-skill, high-wage, or high-demand occupations that will lead to self-sufficiency.

Partnership Academies

The district shall operate one or more partnership academies as a school-within-aschool focused on a broad career theme. The program shall be available to students in grades 10-12, at least half of whom shall be students who are at risk of dropping out of school as indicated by three or more of the following criteria:

1. Past record of irregular attendance, with absence from school 20 percent or more of the school year,
2. Past record of underachievement in which the student is at least one-third of a year behind the coursework for the respective grade level, or as demonstrated by credits achieved,
3. Past record of low motivation or disinterest in the regular school program,
4. Economic disadvantage,
5. Scores below basic or far below basic on the mathematics or English language arts test of the Standardized Testing and Reporting program, or
6. A grade point average of 2.2 or below or the equivalent of a C minus.

The district’s program shall provide:

1. During each regular school term, instruction in at least three academic subjects that:

a. Prepares students for a regular high school diploma,
b. Where possible and appropriate, prepares students to meet subject requirements for admission to the California State University and University of California.

2. CTE courses offered at each grade level at the academy that are part of an occupational course sequence that targets comprehensive skills and meets the criteria specified in Education Code 54692.
3. Classes that are block scheduled in a cluster whenever possible to provide flexibility to academy teachers and which may vary in number during grade 12.
4. A mentor from the business community for students during grade 11.
5. An employer-based internship or work experience that occurs during the summer following grade 11 or during grade 12.
6. Additional motivational activities with private sector involvement to encourage academic and occupational preparation.

Attendance in academy classes shall be limited to students enrolled in the academy.

The Superintendent or designee shall establish an advisory committee consisting of individuals involved in academy operations, including district and school administrators, lead teachers, and representatives of the private sector.

Regional Occupational Center/Program

The district shall operate and/or partner with a regional occupational center or program (ROC/P), established pursuant to Education Code 52300-52335.6, which offers CTE courses independently or in support of tech prep programs, linked learning programs, partnership academies, and/or pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs as appropriate.

Occupational course sequences offered by the ROC/P shall provide prerequisite courses needed to enter apprenticeship or postsecondary vocational certificate or degree programs, focus on occupations requiring comprehensive skills leading to high entry-level wages and/or the possibility of significant wage increases after a few years on the job, offer as many courses as possible that meet college admission requirements, and lead to attainment of an occupational skill certificate.

Student Organizations

The district may provide support, including supplies, material, activities, and advisor expenses, to student organizations which engage in activities that are integral to the CTE program and provide for the development of student leadership skills. However, no state or federal funds shall be used to pay students’ membership dues, food or lodging expenses, out-of-state travel, or the cost of a social activity or assemblage.