S105 - 2021 Appropriations Act. (SL 2021-180)

Overview: Section 7.72 of S.L. 2021-180 establishes a pilot program, the Innovative Signature Career Academy Program (Program), which can operate for up to six years, beginning with the 2021-2022 school year. The Program will be implemented in Guilford County Schools and will focus on hosting signature career academies at traditional high schools that specialize in defined areas of career and technical education (CTE). The Program will include certain key components, including school and community stakeholder input, partnerships with higher education institutions and business and industry entities, options for enrolling eighth grade students in career academies of their choice, reassignment of current CTE teachers to focus on an area of expertise for a signature career academy, and the creation of partnerships with higher education faculty and employees of industry and business to volunteer to serve as co-teachers in the specialized areas.

The Program will allow the Guilford Board of Education to contract with individuals who have education and training related to the specific skills and career pathways that are the focus of a signature career academy.

Beginning June 30 of the first school year of operation of the Program, and every June 30 thereafter for the duration of the Program operated as a pilot, Guilford County Schools must report to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), including information on implementation and administration of the Program, use of additional State appropriations for the Program, data from the Program on student completion rates for career pathways, and recommendations for modification or expansion to other local school administrative units.

By August 15 following the first report by Guilford County Schools, and every August 15 thereafter for the duration of the Program's operation as a pilot, DPI must report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on the information submitted by Guilford County Schools.

Before the end of the 2026-2027 school year, the Guilford County Board of Education can apply to the State Board of Education (SBE) for the Program to be included as an ongoing component of Guilford County Schools' CTE local plan submitted to the SBE. If approved, Guilford County Schools can maintain the flexibility provided in the Program pilot.

This section became effective July 1, 2021.