AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE OFFICE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TO PILOT THE MISSISSIPPI WORKFORCE DUAL ENROLLMENT FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE THAT THE OFFICE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SHALL DISTRIBUTE ANY FUNDS RECEIVED FOR THE PROGRAM TO THE DELTA WORKFORCE INVESTMENT AREA, THE TWIN DISTRICTS WORKFORCE INVESTMENT AREA, THE MISSISSIPPI PARTNERSHIP WORKFORCE INVESTMENT AREA AND THE SOUTHCENTRAL MISSISSIPPI WORKFORCE INVESTMENT AREA FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING DUAL ENROLLMENT COURSES AT COMMUNITY COLLEGES, WHERE SUCH COURSES QUALIFY AS A PRIORITY SECTOR STRATEGY, AS ESTABLISHED BY THE OFFICE; TO PROVIDE THE AMOUNT OF THE GRANT; TO PROVIDE WHAT THE GRANT MAY BE USED FOR; TO PROVIDE A REPORTING REQUIREMENT; TO PROVIDE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF THE FUNDS THAT SHALL BE USED FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
Impact
The proposed program under HB335 is expected to improve access to career and technical education for students enrolled in dual enrollment courses. By providing a grant of $150 per credit hour for each student, the bill facilitates community colleges' ability to cover the costs associated with these educational offerings. Additionally, it aims to create a reporting structure whereby the Office of Workforce Development evaluates the program's effectiveness annually, assessing metrics such as student participation and course utilization.
Summary
House Bill 335 aims to establish the Mississippi Workforce Dual Enrollment for Career and Technical Education Grant Program. This pilot program is intended to support dual enrollment courses at community colleges that align with priority sector strategies as determined by the Office of Workforce Development. The bill outlines that funding for the program will be distributed to specific workforce investment areas, namely the Delta, Twin Districts, Mississippi Partnership, and Southcentral areas, thereby targeting educational enhancement in those regions.
Contention
While the bill seems beneficial for workforce development and education, there may be concerns regarding the adequacy of funding and the long-term impact on other educational programs. Critics may argue that focusing on dual enrollment and career technical education could divert resources from other essential educational areas or create disparities in educational opportunities across different regions. Furthermore, the limited scope targeting only certain workforce investment areas may raise questions on equity in educational access.
Mississippi Career and Technical Education Employability (MissCATEE) Program; establish to provide tuition-free community college for certain CTE programs.