KRS 158.809: Virtual computer science career academy -- Development and

requirements -- Annual reports.

(1) It is the intention of the General Assembly to increase the Commonwealth's

economic competitiveness in the technology and computing employment sect or by

significantly increasing the capacity to educate and prepare high school students for

the technology workforce. A virtual computer science career academy shall be

established to expand access to accelerated, early college career pathways for

Kentucky high school students and prepare them for careers in computing,

particularly in the field of data science. Principal activities for developing,

coordinating, and implementing the academy shall be conducted by WeLeadCS, a

private, nonprofit corporation com posed of leaders from education, government,

and technology and computing sector employers.

(2) WeLeadCS may solicit, accept, receive, invest, and expend funds from any public

or private source for the purpose of implementing the provisions in this section.

(3) WeLeadCS shall:

(a) Establish a program in which Kentucky teachers provide virtual, synchronous

instruction for dual college credit computing courses to accelerate students'

completion of computer science degrees and development of the academic

knowledge, technical skills, and employability skills necessary for careers in

high-level computing occupations;

(b) Collaborate with the Kentucky Center for Statistics to define workforce needs

and opportunities in the technology and computing sector in each l ocal

workforce development area;

(c) Develop the nation's first sequential high school career pathway preparing

students for careers in data science. The career pathway shall include

opportunities for students to earn industry certifications prioritized by

employers and college credit for courses that will culminate in accelerated

postsecondary degree completion;

(d) Partner with employers in the technology and computing sector to provide a

work-based learning program to connect student learning to real -world

practices, expose students to a variety of career options with the technology

and computing sector, ensure students develop the tools necessary to compete

in the workforce, and provide opportunities for job shadowing, internships,

and apprenticeships;

(e) Collaborate with employers, K -12 and postsecondary school educators, and

state education leaders to develop local and statewide initiatives to raise

awareness of career opportunities in the technology and computing sector,

particularly in data science;

(f) Advise students in the virtual academy about Kentucky postsecondary degree

opportunities in computer science in demand by employers in the technology

and computing sector, transferring college credits earned through the academy

to expedite and reduce c osts of college degree completion, and aligning

personal skills and academic abilities to postsecondary degree requirements

and employers' expectations;

(g) Recruit and train Kentucky certified teachers to deliver high -quality,

synchronous virtual instruct ion and support students in a virtual learning

environment;

(h) Coordinate with the Kentucky Department of Education, local school districts,

and postsecondary institutions to ensure compliance with statutes and

regulations governing student privacy, gradi ng, articulation agreements,

student transcripts, and other administrative details; and

(i) Submit an annual report to the Kentucky Board of Education and the

Legislative Research Commission on the academy, including but not limited

to student enrollment, course completion, college credit hours earned, industry

certifications earned, and student matriculation to postsecondary institutions.