Agency: MSP - Basic School Program

Line Item: Career and Technical Education

Function

The Career and Technology Education Program, formerly known as Applied Technology Education, uses collaborative partnerships between education, business, and industry to develop quality educational programs to ensure a skilled and educated workforce. Currently, Career and Technology Education (CTE) is provided in both the public and higher education systems. Nine of the ten Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) institutions (excluding the University of Utah), the nine campuses of the Utah College of Applied Technology (UCAT) and 40 school districts provide some Career and Technical Education programs. Public school students receive CTE services from the school district or on UCAT campuses.

CTE programs in higher education, including UCAT focus on job preparation and offer short-term, competency-based training programs tailored for business and industry ending in certificates or associate degrees. Public Education programs concentrate on offering exploratory and basic skill training, although in some instances advanced training is provided.

Funding Detail

Program: CTE District Add-on

Function

CTE District Add-On funds compensate school districts and charter schools offering CTE courses 'for the higher cost of state approved CTE courses provided either directly by districts or through external providers [UCAT Institutions] on contract to districts' (USOE Finance & Statistics, MSP Descriptions, November 2006). Funds are distributed to school districts based on four criteria.

1. 84.4 percent is distributed through general allocation.
2. 12 percent is distributed based on competency measures.
3. 2.2 percent supports summer agriculture programs.
4. The remaining (approximately 1.4 percent) supports Student Leadership Organizations.

School districts receive CTE Add-On funding proportionally based on 'prior year CTE ADM plus growth. Growth is added only if CTE ADM has grown in each of the two prior years up to a maximum of 10 percent; if CTE ADM declines, the district is held harmless (growth is set equal to 0%)' (USOE Finance & Statistics, MSP Descriptions, November 2006).

Statutory Authority

The Career and Technology Education Add-On program is governed by the following statute.

• UCA 53A-17a-113 - establishes the method for calculating WPUs for CTE programs as well as qualifying criteria and performance measures.

Funding Detail

In FY 2008, the Legislature allocated 25,914 WPUs to support the CTE Add-on for a total of $65.1 million. In FY 2009, the total WPU allocation increased to 26,205 for a total of $67.5 million in funding.

Program: CTE District Set-Aside

Function

The CTE Set-Aside provides funding to 'continue high priority CTE programs or to purchase equipment needed to initiate new CTE programs' (USOE Finance & Statistics, MSP Descriptions, November 2006).

Formula - Each school district is guaranteed a base level of funding. School districts use these funds to start new programs, purchase equipment, or provide for program administration. Each school district receives under the program a base allocation of $10,000. The remaining allocation is divided among school districts in two ways, 50 percent proportionately based on prior year CTE ADM and 50 percent through an RFP process.

Statutory Authority

The following statute governs the Career and Technology Education Set-Aside program.

• UCA 53A-17a-116 - details the distribution formula for CTE Set-Aside funds discussed in the formula section above.

Administrative Rule R277-911 was passed by the State Board of Education. The rule provides administrative procedures associated with the governance of the CTE Set-Aside Program.

Funding Detail

In FY 2008, the Legislature allocated 1,091 WPUs to support the CTE Set-Aside for a total of $2.7 million. In FY 2009, the total WPU allocation increased to 1,117 for a total of nearly $2.9 million in funding.