§2355. Local uses of funds

(a) General authority

Each eligible recipient that receives funds under this part shall use such funds to improve vocational and technical education programs.

(b) Requirements for uses of funds

Funds made available to eligible recipients under this part shall be used to support vocational and technical education programs that-

(1) strengthen the academic, and vocational and technical skills of students participating in vocational and technical education programs by strengthening the academic, and vocational and technical components of such programs through the integration of academics with vocational and technical education programs through a coherent sequence of courses to ensure learning in the core academic, and vocational and technical subjects;

(2) provide students with strong experience in and understanding of all aspects of an industry;

(3) develop, improve, or expand the use of technology in vocational and technical education, which may include-

(A) training of vocational and technical education personnel to use state-of-the-art technology, which may include distance learning;

(B) providing vocational and technical education students with the academic, and vocational and technical skills that lead to entry into the high technology and telecommunications field; or

(C) encouraging schools to work with high technology industries to offer voluntary internships and mentoring programs;

(4) provide professional development programs to teachers, counselors, and administrators, including-

(A) inservice and preservice training in state-of-the-art vocational and technical education programs and techniques, in effective teaching skills based on research, and in effective practices to improve parental and community involvement;

(B) support of education programs for teachers of vocational and technical education in public schools and other public school personnel who are involved in the direct delivery of educational services to vocational and technical education students, to ensure that such teachers and personnel stay current with all aspects of an industry;

(C) internship programs that provide business experience to teachers; and

(D) programs designed to train teachers specifically in the use and application of technology;

(5) develop and implement evaluations of the vocational and technical education programs carried out with funds under this subchapter, including an assessment of how the needs of special populations are being met;

(6) initiate, improve, expand, and modernize quality vocational and technical education programs;

(7) provide services and activities that are of sufficient size, scope, and quality to be effective; and

(8) link secondary vocational and technical education and postsecondary vocational and technical education, including implementing tech-prep programs.

(c) Permissive

Funds made available to an eligible recipient under this subchapter may be used-

(1) to involve parents, businesses, and labor organizations as appropriate, in the design, implementation, and evaluation of vocational and technical education programs authorized under this subchapter, including establishing effective programs and procedures to enable informed and effective participation in such programs;

(2) to provide career guidance and academic counseling for students participating in vocational and technical education programs;

(3) to provide work-related experience, such as internships, cooperative education, school-based enterprises, entrepreneurship, and job shadowing that are related to vocational and technical education programs;

(4) to provide programs for special populations;

(5) for local education and business partnerships;

(6) to assist vocational and technical student organizations;

(7) for mentoring and support services;

(8) for leasing, purchasing, upgrading or adapting equipment, including instructional aides;

(9) for teacher preparation programs that assist individuals who are interested in becoming vocational and technical education instructors, including individuals with experience in business and industry;

(10) for improving or developing new vocational and technical education courses;

(11) to provide support for family and consumer sciences programs;

(12) to provide vocational and technical education programs for adults and school dropouts to complete their secondary school education;

(13) to provide assistance to students who have participated in services and activities under this subchapter in finding an appropriate job and continuing their education;

(14) to support nontraditional training and employment activities; and

(15) to support other vocational and technical education activities that are consistent with the purpose of this chapter.

(d) Administrative costs

Each eligible recipient receiving funds under this part shall not use more than 5 percent of the funds for administrative costs associated with the administration of activities assisted under this section.

(Pub. L. 88–210, title I, §135, as added Pub. L. 105–332, §1(b), Oct. 31, 1998, 112 Stat. 3115 .)

Prior Provisions

Prior sections 2361 to 2363 were omitted in the general amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 105–332.

Section 2361, Pub. L. 88–210, title III, §311, as added Pub. L. 98–524, §1, Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2458 ; amended Pub. L. 99–159, title VII, §706(b), Nov. 22, 1985, 99 Stat. 906 ; Pub. L. 101–392, title III, §302, Sept. 25, 1990, 104 Stat. 786 , related to consumer and homemaking education grants.

Section 2362, Pub. L. 88–210, title III, §312, as added Pub. L. 98–524, §1, Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2458 ; amended Pub. L. 99–159, title VII, §706(c), Nov. 22, 1985, 99 Stat. 906 ; Pub. L. 101–392, title III, §303, Sept. 25, 1990, 104 Stat. 786 , related to use of funds from consumer and homemaking education grants.

Section 2363, Pub. L. 88–210, title III, §313, as added Pub. L. 98–524, §1, Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2459 ; amended Pub. L. 99–159, title VII, §707, Nov. 22, 1985, 99 Stat. 906 ; Pub. L. 101–392, title III, §304, Sept. 25, 1990, 104 Stat. 786 , related to information dissemination and leadership.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in sections 2322, 2351, 2352, 2354 of this title.