20 USC 2343 - Improvement plans

Collapse to view only § 2343. Improvement plans

§ 2341. State administration
§ 2342. State plan
§ 2343. Improvement plans
§ 2344. State leadership activities

§ 2341. State administration

(a) Eligible agency responsibilitiesThe responsibilities of an eligible agency under this subchapter shall include—

(1) coordination of the development, submission, and implementation of the State plan, and the evaluation of the program, services, and activities assisted under this subchapter, including preparation for non-traditional fields;

(2) consultation with the Governor and appropriate agencies, groups, and individuals including teachers, faculty, specialized instructional support personnel, paraprofessionals, school leaders, authorized public chartering agencies and charter school leaders (consistent with State law), employers, representatives of business (including small businesses), labor organizations, eligible recipients, local program administrators, State and local officials, Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations present in the State, parents, students, and community organizations;

(3) convening and meeting as an eligible agency (consistent with State law and procedure for the conduct of such meetings) at such time as the eligible agency determines necessary to carry out the eligible agency’s responsibilities under this subchapter, but not less than 4 times annually; and

(4) the adoption of such procedures as the eligible agency considers necessary to—

(A) implement State level coordination with the activities undertaken by the State boards under section 3111 of title 29; and

(B) make available to the one-stop delivery system under section 3151 of title 29 within the State a listing of all school dropout, postsecondary education, and adult programs assisted under this subchapter.

(b) Exception

(Pub. L. 88–210, title I, § 121, as added Pub. L. 109–270, § 1(b), Aug. 12, 2006, 120 Stat. 715; amended Pub. L. 113–128, title V, § 512(e)(2), July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1706; Pub. L. 115–224, title I, § 121, July 31, 2018, 132 Stat. 1599.)

§ 2342. State plan

(a) State plan

(1) In general

(2) RevisionsEach eligible agency—

(A) may submit such annual revisions of the State plan to the Secretary as the eligible agency determines to be necessary; and

(B) shall, after the second year of the 4-year period, conduct a review of activities assisted under this subchapter and submit any revisions of the State plan that the eligible agency determines necessary to the Secretary.

(3) Hearing process

(4) Public comment

(5) Optional submission of subsequent plans

(b) Options for submission of State plan

(1) Combined plan

(2) Notice to Secretary

(1) In generalThe eligible agency shall—

(A) develop the State plan in consultation with—

(i) representatives of secondary and postsecondary career and technical education programs, including eligible recipients and representatives of 2-year minority-serving institutions and historically Black colleges and universities and tribally controlled colleges or universities in States where such institutions are in existence, adult career and technical education providers, and charter school representatives in States where such schools are in existence, which shall include teachers, faculty, school leaders, specialized instructional support personnel, career and academic guidance counselors, and paraprofessionals;

(ii) interested community representatives, including parents, students, and community organizations;

(iii) representatives of the State workforce development board established under section 3111 of title 29 (referred to in this section as the “State board”);

(iv) members and representatives of special populations;

(v) representatives of business and industry (including representatives of small business), which shall include representatives of industry and sector partnerships in the State, as appropriate, and representatives of labor organizations in the State;

(vi) representatives of agencies serving out-of-school youth, homeless children and youth, and at-risk youth, including the State Coordinator for Education of Homeless Children and Youths established or designated under section 11432(d)(3) of title 42;

(vii) representatives of Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations located in, or providing services in, the State; and

(viii) individuals with disabilities; and

(B) consult the Governor of the State, and the heads of other State agencies with authority for career and technical education programs that are not the eligible agency, with respect to the development of the State plan.

(2) Activities and procedures

(3) Consultation with the GovernorThe consultation described in paragraph (1)(B) shall include meetings of officials from the eligible agency and the Governor’s office and shall occur—

(A) during the development of such plan; and

(B) prior to submission of the plan to the Secretary.

(d) Plan contentsThe State plan shall include—

(1) a summary of State-supported workforce development activities (including education and training) in the State, including the degree to which the State’s career and technical education programs and programs of study are aligned with and address the education and skill needs of the employers in the State identified by the State board;

(2) the State’s strategic vision and set of goals for preparing an educated and skilled workforce (including special populations) and for meeting the skilled workforce needs of employers, including in existing and emerging in-demand industry sectors and occupations as identified by the State, and how the State’s career and technical education programs will help to meet these goals;

(3) a strategy for any joint planning, alignment, coordination, and leveraging of funds—

(A) between the State’s career and technical education programs and programs of study with the State’s workforce development system, to achieve the strategic vision and goals described in paragraph (2), including the core programs defined in section 3102 of title 29 and the elements related to system alignment under section 3112(b)(2)(B) of title 29; and

(B) for programs carried out under this subchapter with other Federal programs, which may include programs funded under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 [20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.] and the Higher Education Act of 1965 [20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.];

(4) a description of the career and technical education programs or programs of study that will be supported, developed, or improved at the State level, including descriptions of—

(A) the programs of study to be developed at the State level and made available for adoption by eligible recipients;

(B) the process and criteria to be used for approving locally developed programs of study or career pathways, including how such programs address State workforce development and education needs and the criteria to assess the extent to which the local application under section 2352 of this title will—

(i) promote continuous improvement in academic achievement and technical skill attainment;

(ii) expand access to career and technical education for special populations; and

(iii) support the inclusion of employability skills in programs of study and career pathways;

(i) make information on approved programs of study and career pathways (including career exploration, work-based learning opportunities, early college high schools, and dual or concurrent enrollment program opportunities) and guidance and advisement resources, available to students (and parents, as appropriate), representatives of secondary and postsecondary education, and special populations, and to the extent practicable, provide that information and those resources in a language students, parents, and educators can understand;

(ii) facilitate collaboration among eligible recipients in the development and coordination of career and technical education programs and programs of study and career pathways that include multiple entry and exit points;

(iii) use State, regional, or local labor market data to determine alignment of eligible recipients’ programs of study to the needs of the State, regional, or local economy, including in-demand industry sectors and occupations identified by the State board, and to align career and technical education with such needs, as appropriate;

(iv) ensure equal access to approved career and technical education programs of study and activities assisted under this chapter for special populations;

(v) coordinate with the State board to support the local development of career pathways and articulate processes by which career pathways will be developed by local workforce development boards, as appropriate;

(vi) support effective and meaningful collaboration between secondary schools, postsecondary institutions, and employers to provide students with experience in, and understanding of, all aspects of an industry, which may include work-based learning such as internships, mentorships, simulated work environments, and other hands-on or inquiry-based learning activities; and

(vii) improve outcomes and reduce performance gaps for CTE concentrators, including those who are members of special populations; and

(D) how the eligible agency may include the opportunity for secondary school students to participate in dual or concurrent enrollment programs, early college high school, or competency-based education;

(5) a description of the criteria and process for how the eligible agency will approve eligible recipients for funds under this chapter, including how—

(A) each eligible recipient will promote academic achievement;

(B) each eligible recipient will promote skill attainment, including skill attainment that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential; and

(C) each eligible recipient will ensure the comprehensive needs assessment under section 2354(c) of this title takes into consideration local economic and education needs, including, where appropriate, in-demand industry sectors and occupations;

(6) a description of how the eligible agency will support the recruitment and preparation of teachers, including special education teachers, faculty, school principals, administrators, specialized instructional support personnel, and paraprofessionals to provide career and technical education instruction, leadership, and support, including professional development that provides the knowledge and skills needed to work with and improve instruction for special populations;

(7) a description of how the eligible agency will use State leadership funds under section 2344 of this title;

(8) a description of how funds received by the eligible agency through the allotment made under section 2321 of this title will be distributed—

(A) among career and technical education at the secondary level, or career and technical education at the postsecondary and adult level, or both, including how such distribution will most effectively provide students with the skills needed to succeed in the workplace; and

(B) among any consortia that may be formed among secondary schools and eligible institutions, and how funds will be distributed among the members of the consortia, including the rationale for such distribution and how it will most effectively provide students with the skills needed to succeed in the workplace;

(9) a description of the eligible agency’s program strategies for special populations, including a description of how individuals who are members of special populations—

(A) will be provided with equal access to activities assisted under this chapter;

(B) will not be discriminated against on the basis of status as a member of a special population;

(C) will be provided with programs designed to enable individuals who are members of special populations to meet or exceed State determined levels of performance described in section 2323 of this title, and prepare special populations for further learning and for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations;

(D) will be provided with appropriate accommodations; and

(E) will be provided instruction and work-based learning opportunities in integrated settings that support competitive, integrated employment;

(10) a description of the procedure the eligible agency will adopt for determining State determined levels of performance described in section 2323 of this title, which, at a minimum, shall include—

(A) a description of the process for public comment under section 2323(b)(3)(B) of this title as part of the development of the State determined levels of performance under section 2323(b) of this title;

(B) an explanation of the State determined levels of performance; and

(C) a description of how the State determined levels of performance set by the eligible agency align with the levels, goals, and objectives of other Federal and State laws;

(11) a description of how the eligible agency will address disparities or gaps in performance, as described in section 2323(b)(3)(C)(ii)(II) of this title, in each of the plan years, and if no meaningful progress has been achieved prior to the third program year, a description of the additional actions the eligible agency will take to eliminate these disparities or gaps;

(12) describes 1

1 So in original. Probably should be “a description of”.

how the eligible agency will involve parents, academic and career and technical education teachers, administrators, faculty, career guidance and academic counselors, local business (including small businesses), labor organizations, and representatives of Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations, as appropriate, in the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of such career and technical education programs; and 2

2 So in original. The word “and” probably should not appear.

(13) assurances that—

(A) the eligible agency will comply with the requirements of this chapter and the provisions of the State plan, including the provision of a financial audit of funds received under this chapter, which may be included as part of an audit of other Federal or State programs;

(B) none of the funds expended under this chapter will be used to acquire equipment (including computer software) in any instance in which such acquisition results in a direct financial benefit to any organization representing the interests of the acquiring entity or the employees of the acquiring entity, or any affiliate of such an organization;

(C) the eligible agency will use the funds to promote preparation for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations and non-traditional fields, as identified by the eligible agency;

(D) the eligible agency will use the funds provided under this chapter to implement career and technical education programs and programs of study for individuals in State correctional institutions, including juvenile justice facilities; and

(E) the eligible agency will provide local educational agencies, area career and technical education schools, and eligible institutions in the State with technical assistance, including technical assistance on how to close gaps in student participation and performance in career and technical education programs; and

(14) a description of the opportunities for the public to comment in person and in writing on the State plan under this subsection.

(e) Consultation

(1) In generalThe eligible agency shall develop the portion of each State plan relating to the amount and uses of any funds proposed to be reserved for adult career and technical education, postsecondary career and technical education, and secondary career and technical education after consultation with—

(A) the State agency responsible for supervision of community colleges, technical institutes, other 2-year postsecondary institutions primarily engaged in providing postsecondary career and technical education, or, where applicable, institutions of higher education that are engaged in providing postsecondary career and technical education as part of their mission;

(B) the State agency responsible for secondary education; and

(2) Objections of State agencies

(3) Joint signature authority

(f) Plan approval

(1) In generalNot later than 120 days after the eligible agency submits its State plan, the Secretary shall approve such State plan, or a revision of the plan under subsection (a)(2) (including a revision of State determined levels of performance in accordance with section 2323(b)(3)(A)(iii) of this title), if the Secretary determines that the State has submitted in its State plan State determined levels of performance that meet the criteria established in section 2323(b)(3) of this title, including the minimum requirements described in section 2323(b)(3)(A)(i)(III) of this title, unless the Secretary—

(A) determines that the State plan does not meet the requirements of this chapter, including the minimum requirements as described in section 2323(b)(3)(A)(i)(III) of this title; and

(B) meets the requirements of paragraph (2) with respect to such plan.

(2) DisapprovalThe Secretary—

(A) shall have the authority to disapprove a State plan only if the Secretary—

(i) determines how the State plan fails to meet the requirements of this chapter; and

(ii) provides to the eligible agency, in writing, notice of such determination and the supporting information and rationale to substantiate such determination; and

(B) shall not finally disapprove a State plan, except after making the determination and providing the information described in subparagraph (A), and giving the eligible agency notice and an opportunity for a hearing.

(Pub. L. 88–210, title I, § 122, as added Pub. L. 109–270, § 1(b), Aug. 12, 2006, 120 Stat. 715; amended Pub. L. 113–128, title V, § 512(e)(3), July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1706; Pub. L. 114–95, title IX, § 9215(n)(6), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 2169; Pub. L. 115–224, title I, § 122, July 31, 2018, 132 Stat. 1600.)

§ 2343. Improvement plans

(a) State program improvement

(1) Plan

(2) Technical assistance

(3) Subsequent action

(A) In general

The Secretary may, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, withhold from an eligible agency all, or a portion, of the eligible agency’s allotment under paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 2322(a) of this title if the eligible agency—

(i) fails to implement an improvement plan as described in paragraph (1); or

(ii) with respect to any specific core indicator of performance that was identified in a program improvement plan under paragraph (1), fails to meet at least 90 percent of a State determined level of performance for such core indicator for 2 consecutive years after the eligible agency has been identified for improvement under such paragraph.

(B) Waiver for exceptional circumstances

(4) Funds resulting from reduced allotments

(5) Adjustments prohibited

(b) Local program improvement

(1) Local evaluation

(2) Plan

(3) Technical assistance

(4) Subsequent action

(A) In general

The eligible agency may, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, withhold from the eligible recipient all, or a portion, of the eligible recipient’s allotment under this subchapter if the eligible recipient—

(i) fails to implement an improvement plan as described in paragraph (2); or

(ii) with respect to any specific core indicator of performance that was identified in a program improvement plan under paragraph (2), fails to meet at least 90 percent of the local level of performance for such core indicator for 2 consecutive years after the eligible recipient has been identified for improvement under such paragraph.

(B) Waiver for exceptional circumstances

In determining whether to impose sanctions under subparagraph (A), the eligible agency may waive imposing sanctions—

(i) due to exceptional or uncontrollable circumstances, such as a natural disaster or a precipitous and unforeseen decline in the financial resources of the eligible recipient;

(ii) based on the impact on the eligible recipient’s reported performance of the small size of the career and technical education program operated by the eligible recipient; or

(iii) in response to a public request from an eligible recipient, if the eligible agency determines that the requirements described in clause (i) or (ii) have been met.

(5) Funds resulting from reduced allotments

(6) Adjustments prohibited

(Pub. L. 88–210, title I, § 123, as added Pub. L. 109–270, § 1(b), Aug. 12, 2006, 120 Stat. 721; amended Pub. L. 115–224, title I, § 123, July 31, 2018, 132 Stat. 1606.)

§ 2344. State leadership activities

(a) General authorityFrom 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 fundsThe 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 [

(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 span 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.

(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, title V, § 512(e)(4), July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1707; Pub. L. 114–95, title IX, § 9215(n)(7), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 2170; Pub. L. 115–224, title I, § 124, July 31, 2018, 132 Stat. 1608.)