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Minutes for HB2138 - Committee on Education
Short Title
Creating the career technical education credential and transition incentive for employment success act to provide additional state aid to certain school districts for students who obtain career technical education credentials.
Minutes Content for Wed, Mar 8, 2023
Chairwoman Baumgardner opened the hearing.
Tamera Lawrence, Revisor, gave an overview of the bill. (Attachment 1)
Heather Morgan, Executive Director, Kansas Association of Community College Trustees (KACCT), explained this bill would allow high schools or colleges to be reimbursed the cost of certificates for students. The bill needs to be clarified to ensure the school pays for the credential exam to be reimbursed as the bill assumes the K-12 school district pays for certifications. KACCT suggests the bill require the district to fund the entire cost of the assessment test if they are going to access the 1.02 funding available through this bill. Also recommended is to require use of the additional 0.2 funding to pay for the uncovered tool and supply costs for students whose parents can't afford them for their student to participate in the Excel in CTE classes. (Attachment 2)
Representative Michael Murphy, Kansas Representative, 114th District, stated there are many high school students across Kansas who are stuck in a difficult situation in planning their future. Rep. Murphy knows a number of students who cannot pay for their certification test as the family is in financial straits. Many jobs in rural Kansas require a certificate so this bill would help employers obtain the needed workers. Building the workforce will pay dividends well beyond the small price of the certificates. Included with Testimony 2022-2023 Excel in CTE Qualifying Industry Recognized Credential Incentive List (Attachment 3) Discussion followed.
Clelia McCrory, ESSDACK, Academic Integration, Career and Technical Education, Community Development, Perkins Support, has helped teachers develop approved CTE programs in the areas of business, technology, agriculture, FACS, and trade and industry. Supplied with her testimony is a list of the Kansas 41 highest demand jobs aligned to entry level industry and examples of semi-skilled short-term acquisition certificates that are needed statewide. (Attachment 4)
Dr. Deena Horst, Legislative Liaison, Kansas State Board of Education, stood in support of this bill saying this bill was designed to provide an incentive for local school districts to encourage students to earn a career technical education credential and was amended to include community colleges and tech colleges because in some districts, community colleges and tech colleges offer some of the coursework needed for completion of some career technical pathways. There is concern that there may be more post-secondary institutions involvement than is needed to accomplish the desired end result. Therefore, it was suggested monitoring the results to ensure that response to workforce needs doesn't get bogged down by academia and the processes are working together in a smooth manner. Included with Testimony Kansas 41 Highest Demand 2021-2022 Jobs Aligned to Entry Level Industry Meaningful Certifications, Career Technical Education Credential and Transition incentive For Employment Success Act of 2023, letter to Mike Cargill from Jeff L. Meyer, President, Meyer Electrical Inc. regarding the need for qualified electricians and HVAC techs. (Attachment 5)
Mark Calvin, Site Director, ESSDACK - Haysville Learning Cafe, reported that beginning in the Spring of 2022, Haysville Learning Cafe ran a pilot program with seven public schools and one adult learning center to test a concept that several educators from rural Kansas believed would work to address a few areas of concern:
1) Teacher Shortage across the state is hurting the education system;
2) Content Equity - students in rural areas are at a disadvantage for options;
3) Increase the ratio of Industry Sought Certifications to HS students before they graduate;
4) Close the gap between districts and Professional Development to support areas 1 - 3
771 students from seven districts, and 117 Adults from one learning center participated in the pilot. Collaboration with multiple post secondary institutions, including but not limited to, Garden City Community College. A majority of these students with certifications have or will have by May 2023:
- Met with an employer
- Entered an Apprenticeship/Workforce
- Connected with or entered Post Secondary institutions.
This pilot and its success has given rise to the ROOTS System (Rural Occupation Opportunity and Teaching Solutions). It is important to note in this bill, the notion of local control is essential for a successful outcome. Included with testimony is a list of partnership organizations, Iceberg Graphic, Unofficial Pilot Student Certification Counts, The 20 Most Requested Certifications by Employers. (Attachment 6)
Mike Cargill, Instructor of Career Technical Education (CTE) Healthcare and manufacturing at Stafford High School USD349, relayed the importance and impact of CTE programs in small rural communities. Twenty-nine healthcare students have received certificates and most have been employed by Stafford County Hospital and the local care facility. Fifteen of those students have continued their training and have become epidemiologists, nurses, dental hygienists, lab techs and veterinary assistants. Two of these students with advance training have returned to employment in Stafford.
Last year, two students received extensive training in FANUC (six-axis robot). Both accepted jobs with Viega in McPherson directly out of high school.
Stafford High School is committed to the success of individual students and the process of preparing them for post-secondary success by encouraging industry recognized certification. Stafford School Foundation has set aside financial support for students that apply and demonstrate the need for financial help. This financial support comes at the expense of school improvements and needs.
The manufacturing examples are the result of training in multimeter, programable logic controllers and FANUC robotics, none of which are on the State of Kansas list of certifications. Mr. Cargill encourages those with the responsibility of determining funded certifications, to consider a provision allowing communities to identify local certification needs and provide funding based on community evaluations. (Attachment 7)
Jennifer Wieberg, College and Career Counselor, Deerfield USD 216, shared that Deerfield has the goal to have every student graduate with a certification in the field or pathway of their interest that will help them be more successful and give them a "leg up" in getting hired in their field of interest. Agriculture and machinery are important for this job market and these certifications are not covered by any education program. Student classes are becoming larger which makes the price tag larger but Deerfield will always do what is right and best for all students. The district would like to not have to take funds from other activities or departments to make this goal a reality. (Attachment 8)
Audrey Musil, High School Senior, Deerfield USD216, has received an Early Childhood Certificate from Garden City Community College and a Parapro Certificate. These two certificates will help her complete her teaching degree with less debt because she will be able to have better paying jobs while going to college. They will also help her work in a variety of roles in education so that when she has completed her degree, she will have a better idea of the age group and type of school setting she will want to work in. (Attachment 9)
Ingrid Gardea-Varela, High School Senior, Deerfield USD 216, received her CNA certification from Garden City Community College and started working as a CNA at a nursing home on weekends and afternoons while still in school. This certification allowed her to step foot into the medical field early enough for her to figure out her future career. It also allows her to work for more than minimum wage while furthering her education. (Attachment 10)
Discussion followed.
Proponent Written Only submitted by:
Dr. Blake Flanders, PhD., President and CEO, Kansas Board of Regents (Attachment 11)
Keven R. Ward, Strategic Programs Consultant, Tran, a business of Trane Technologies (Attachment 12)
Jim Edwards, Lobbyist representing Topeka Public Schools USD 501 (Attachment 13)
John Forrer, Government Relations Specialist, Kansas Association of School Boards (Attachment 14)
The Chair closed the hearing.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:31 PM.
The next meeting will be March 9, 2023, 1:30 PM in Room 144-S.
