A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to appropriate funds to implement the futures for kids program.
Whereas, North Carolina must continue to decrease its dropout rate by motivating students to stay in school; and
Whereas, modern technology linking students to career paths is an effective means of encouraging students to stay in school; and
Whereas, all students, especially disadvantaged students, gain encouragement to stay in school when they make the connection between their life prospects and their education; and
Whereas, workforce development is a critical objective for North Carolina whereby employers benefit from students learning in school to acquire the knowledge and skills they will need; and
Whereas, all citizens benefit when students find fulfilling careers where they can contribute to society; and
Whereas, the focus and strength of Futures for Kids is career exploration for 7th through 12th graders utilizing modern technology by providing an unassisted self‑guided career assessment tool, helping career counselors leverage their time and resources so they can reach all our students, and creating an interactive system utilized by students, teachers, business and parents; and
Whereas, Futures for Kids implemented a pilot project involving 13,000 students, 350 educators in 26 schools and more than 200 employers statewide proving to be successful; and
Whereas, many schools have indicated a desire to participate in Futures for Kids, and their students would benefit from such additional career exploration; and
Whereas, North Carolina's business community has been highly supportive of Futures for Kids; and
Whereas, Futures for Kids and the College Foundation of North Carolina have embarked on a collaborative project to increase the success rate of students in our educational system; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction the sum of three million five hundred thousand dollars ($3,500,000) for the 2005‑2006 fiscal year and the sum of one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) for the 2006‑2007 fiscal year to implement the Future for Kids Program in all middle schools and high schools in the State. These funds shall be used for equipment, staff development, and other costs of the implementation and maintenance of the program by Futures for Kids, Inc.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2005.