Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes grants to community colleges for the development of education and economic projects.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Pathways for Academic Career and Employment Program (Sec. 2).

• Appropriates $5 million from the general fund of the state to implement the Pathways for Academic Career and Employment Program each fiscal year (Sec. 2).

• Requires projects eligible for grants to link community colleges to industry and nonprofit organizations and must relate to a target population (Sec. 3).

• Defines "target population" as including, but not liimited to, the following (Sec. 3):
• People with an income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level;
• People who are unemployed;
• People who are underemployed; and
• Workers who are dislocated.

• Requires community colleges that receive this grant to develop a "Pipeline Program," which includes the following requirements (Sec. 6):
• Improve and simplify the identification, recruitment and assessment of qualified participants;
• Provide information to participants about labor market opportunities, employer partners, and the requirements and expectations of the program; and
• Outline and describe the skills participants will learn and the credentials they will earn.

• Requires every program receiving this grant to conduct a career pathways and bridge curriculum development program in order to integrate participant's educational and employment opportunities (Sec. 7).

• Requires grant recipients to meet all of the following requirements (Sec. 17):
• Attend all classes on a regular basis;
• Maintain regular contact with staff members in order to have record of students' progress;
• Sign a release form; and
• Meet with a staff member in order to develop a job search plan.

Full Bill Text