S257 - Appropriations Act of 2017. (SL 2017-57)

Overview: Sec. 9.5 of S.L. 2017-57 provides that the State Board of Community Colleges (SBCC) must establish the Community College High Cost Workforce Program Grant to allocate funds to community colleges to establish new high cost workforce Tier 1A and Tier 1B courses that require significant start-up funds. The SBCC must adopt an application process for community colleges to apply for the award of funds to establish new courses beginning with the 2018-2019 fiscal year. The application must include at least the following information:

• A description of the proposed program of study.
• An impact assessment of implementing the proposed course on existing programs at contiguous colleges.
• Documentation of student interest in the course.
• Alignment of the course with the future employment needs within the area served by the community college and the State.

The SBCC must submit a report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by March 1, 2019, on the implementation of the new high cost workforce Tier 1A and Tier 1B courses with the following information:

• The use of funds by community colleges participating in the grant program, including (i) start-up costs to establish new courses and (ii) costs associated with student instruction, including faculty salaries, instructional supplies, and related instructional equipment.
• Evaluation of the success of the community college courses, including (i) student enrollment numbers and (ii) student outcomes, including job attainment and placement data and completion of any certification, diploma, or associate degree programs.

This section became effective July 1, 2017.