Email: Chapter 18, Article 10H
§18-10H-1. Purpose; legislative intent.
Rapid technological advances, the advent of a global economy, changing demographics and restructuring of the traditional workplace have dictated changes in educational programs designed to prepare work force entrants and incumbents. More emphasis must be placed on the transfer of technology, via the educational system, to the workplace resulting in an academically and technically literate work force. A structure must be established to provide incentives, high expectations and encouragement for talented vocational-technical students to pursue advanced education and training related to their technical disciplines, as well as provide a mechanism for the technical updating of vocational-technical teachers and administrators, including opportunities for the attainment of advanced degrees.
The economic future of the State of West Virginia will be greatly influenced by the ability of the educational system to prepare competent individuals for a highly competitive and technological workplace. Excellence in terms of faculty, programs and educational opportunities for all West Virginians will greatly affect the degree of future economic prosperity within the state. With the enactment of this article, the Legislature intends to address a major void in the current system of vocational-technical education in West Virginia through the creation of a comprehensive program of educational incentives for talented students, teachers and administrators. The results of the programs and initiatives proposed by this article can have a significant impact toward achieving excellence in vocational-technical education within West Virginia and revitalizing the state's economy.
§18-10H-2. Academy for talented vocational-technical education students.
The West Virginia Board of Education shall establish by July 1, 1990, an annual academy for talented vocational-technical education students, including a foundation for receiving private financial support. The purposes of the academy are to stimulate and reward student commitment to excellence in secondary vocational-technical education; to stimulate growth in the critical and creative thinking abilities of vocational-technical students; to assist exceptionally talented secondary vocational-technical education students to achieve their individual potentials; to bridge the gap between educational practice and the technological workplace; and to provide a medium for interaction between talented vocational-technical students and innovative leaders of business and industry and labor.
The state Board of Education may establish a coordinating committee to set operating guidelines for the academy and supporting foundation, including, but not limited to, selection of participants, promotion, program development, location, facilities and staffing.
The nonprofit academy foundation shall exist to solicit private funds and resources to enhance the operation of the academy.
§18-10H-3. Scholarship fund for vocational-technical education students and educators.
Beginning with the school year one thousand nine hundred eighty-nine--ninety, the state Board of Education shall establish a scholarship program for outstanding secondary vocational-technical education graduates to pursue additional post-secondary college work in a related career or technical field. The board may award twenty annual scholarships, not to exceed $2,000 each, based on criteria to be established by the board. Additionally, the board may award fifteen annual scholarships, not to exceed $1,000 each, to outstanding vocational-technical teachers for the purpose of pursing advanced degrees or technical updating of their professional competencies. The criteria for awarding the educator scholarships shall be promulgated by the board. The foundation provided for in section two of this article shall solicit private sector funds for these scholarships.
§18-10H-4. Interdisciplinary doctoral program in vocational-technical education.
[Repealed.]
§18-10H-5. Vocational-technical education administrator's academy.
The West Virginia Board of Education shall maintain and expand an annual vocational-technical education administrator's academy. The purposes of this academy are to stimulate excellence in vocational-technical education programming statewide through the development of progressive instructional leadership, planning and program development competencies of vocational-technical education administrators.
The board may establish a coordinating committee made up of the Department of Education staff, local vocational administrators and representatives of the vocational-technical education department at Marshall University to plan and administer this program. The nonprofit academy foundation established in section two of this article shall exist to solicit private funds and resources to enhance the operation of the academy.
§18-10H-6. Effective schools program in vocational-technical education.
[Repealed].
§18-10H-7. Unified technology transfer program.
[Repealed].