H103 - 2022 Appropriations Act. (SL 2022-74)

Overview: Section 7.4 of S.L. 2022-74 requires the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to provide $2 million in grants in the 2022-2023 school year, awarded in accordance with certain priorities, to modernize Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming, materials, training, and development in middle schools. The grants must be used to procure and implement a career and workforce development platform that aligns with the North Carolina Career and Technical Education Standards with modules that assist teachers in preparing students for high-wage, high-growth career areas that include certain components.

The section also requires DPI to provide $1 million in grants in the 2022-2023 school year to fund equipment and ancillary items such as greenhouses, cars, animals and livestock, or power tools for CTE programs, awarded in accordance with certain priorities.

Applications for both grant programs must be made available no later than the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, with applications submitted by January 15, 2023, and awarded or denied by DPI within 30 days.

Grant recipients must report to DPI on the outcomes of programs funded by the grants by October 15, 2023, and DPI must report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee and the Fiscal Research Division on the overall outcomes of the grant programs by December 15, 2023.

This section became effective July 1, 2022.