Current funding for career and technical education in Kentucky is inadequate and at critical levels. That’s the conclusion of an independent report presented to the Kentucky Board of Education at its meeting in Frankfort.
Kentucky funds CTE programs in high schools, locally-operated technical centers and state-operated Area Technology Centers utilizing a combination of federal Perkins funding, state SEEK and general fund dollars. CTE funding supports essential requirements, such as the purchase and maintenance of 21st century equipment and technology, student assessment and technical skill attainment needs, and professional learning.
The report made six recommendations:
· base funding for Career and Technical Education on state goals and business and industry needs;
· convene a committee to explore ways of funding state-operated and locally-operated centers equally;
· provide adequate funding for CTE in order to accomplish state determined priorities;
· create a proactive, intentional process of funding large equipment purchases and maintaining/upgrading current equipment;
· allow locally-operated centers and schools to set a budget for the entire school year;
· consider an additional per-pupil funding formula weight tied to state-prioritized occupational and program areas based on state and regional industry needs; and
· explore CTE performance funding.
Several organizational and funding models are in development to improve CTE opportunities for Kentucky students. Currently, 68 percent of all high school students take CTE courses, and the majority of students who concentrate in a CTE pathway graduate college- and career-ready.
From KDE