The Governor’s 2007 May Revision proposes additional funding for several key programs to expand Career Technical Education (CTE) at the K-12 and community college level, in addition to funds for CTE resources including counselors, teachers, and state-of-the art equipment. The May Revision also includes funding to meet the demands of California’s nursing shortage.

Major Changes Included in the May Revision

• The May Revision proposes $25 million to increase the number of school counselors that specialize in CTE. These funds are meant to supplement existing counseling resources by adding counselors who can provide students with educational advice and options that will appropriately prepare them for employment in today’s workforce after graduation, or provide them with the career-specific academic skills needed for transitioning into higher-level training at a community college or four-year university.
• The May Revision provides an additional $100 million to build on previous one-time funding for investments in CTE equipment and minor facilities reconfigurations. This new funding is to be split equally between public schools and community colleges to purchase state-of-the-art equipment for programs in public schools and community colleges. From this funding, $2.5 million is earmarked to support equipment purchases for K-12 nursing career pathway programs.
• The May Revision proposes $50 million in 2006-07 for California Community Colleges for CTE equipment and associated facility reconfigurations. These funds will help ensure student access to state-of-the-art equipment necessary for developing relevant career technical skills needed in the workplace of today and tomorrow.
• The May Revision proposes $50 million in 2006-2007 for grants to colleges for equipment and other one-time uses for nursing programs in order to assist the colleges’ enrollment expansion efforts in meeting the demands of the state-wide nursing shortage.
• The May Revision proposes $50 million in Proposition 98 funds for grants to school districts to support the hiring of more than 1,000 additional credentialed CTE teachers. The Administration proposes minimum grants of $45,000 per high school and that the Department of Education, working in consultation with the Administration and Legislative Analyst, develop a methodology to determine the neediest high schools with more than 400 students that would be eligible for this program. Program criteria would include schools with five or fewer CTE courses at the minimum enrollment level and schools with fewer than 80 percent of CTE courses taught by instructors who are certified to teach those courses.

Items Largely Unchanged from the Governor’s January 2007 Budget Proposal

Business groups in California frequently cite a lack of lack of skilled labor as a major concern. Investment in educational training is critical to keeping California a business-friendly environment and the nation’s leader in emerging industries such as biotech and clean tech. The Governor’s Budget proposes $52 million to expand CTE course offerings and programs. These funding will:

• Expand the number of CTE courses offered in middle schools, high schools, and community colleges.
• Build stronger partnerships between the business sector and educational institutions.
• Implement CTE curriculum for emerging industries.
• Expand internship opportunities for students.
• Establish career exploration opportunities for middle school students.
• Create career-themed high schools.
• Establish streamlined pathways for becoming a CTE teacher.
• Create several pilot career academies for young adults and high school dropouts who are unable to maintain living wage employment due to academic deficiencies.