KRS 158.812: Legislative intent, findings, and declarations.

(1) It is the intent of the General Assembly to provide rigorous academic and career and

technical education programs that are relevant for all students and that encourage at-

risk students to graduate from high school prepared to enter postsecondary

education institutions or the workforce with needed skills.

(2) The purposes of elementary and secondary education programs of career and

technical education are to:

(a) Provide students opportunities to understand the relevance of and master

academic skills in math ematics, science, English, reading, and

communications as well as technical literacy in broad-based career fields;

(b) Provide students a variety of opportunities to master the usage of technology;

(c) Prepare individuals with specialized, transferable aca demic skills and

technical skills for gainful employment in broad-based career fields; and

(d) Assist individuals in making successful transitions from school to work, to

postsecondary education, to the military, or from one (1) career to another.

(3) The General Assembly acknowledges that:

(a) Rigorous, relevant, and high -quality career and technical education offers

students an opportunity to develop skills in mathematics, science, English,

reading, communication, problem -solving, and technology, and in c areer and

technical areas that are essential to meet the goals for Kentucky education as

described in KRS 158.6451 and that help students achieve the capacities

required of all students as defined in KRS 158.645;

(b) Students need access to career pathway programs that meet high standards,

connect technical skills with core academic requirements for high school

students, and align with postsecondary education requirements and business

and industry needs;

(c) Students can accelerate their overall scholastic achievement when given an

opportunity to learn in an integrated school- and work-based environment;

(d) Students are less likely to drop out of school when they are making academic

progress and see relevance in the program of study to their future potentia l for

success; and

(e) The General Assembly has a responsibility to provide the resources that

recognize the increased costs for offering high -quality, relevant career and

technical education programs.