In 2012, enacted SB 155 launched a new plan to enhance career technical education (CTE) in Kansas with the purpose of better preparing high school students for college and careers. Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, Kansas high school students could qualify for free college tuition in approved technical courses offered at Kansas technical and community colleges. The program also initially provided school districts with a $1,000 incentive for each high school student who graduated from that district with an industry-recognized credential in a high-need occupation.
The 2015 Legislature changed the incentive to a prorated amount not to exceed $750,000 in total. During the 2016 Session, the appropriated amount decreased from $750,000 to $50,000 for fiscal year (FY) 2016 and FY 2017, which was estimated to cover the cost of the certification examinations only.
The 2017 Legislature moved the $50,000 incentive funds from the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) to the Kansas State Department of Education for FY 2018 and FY 2019. The amount changed over the subsequent two years and then was deleted from the budget in FY 2020.
The appropriated amount for tuition was prorated in FY 2016 and FY 2017, as there was no increase in appropriations and the amount did not cover all program participants. The program was fully funded in FY 2018, FY 2019, and FY 2020.
Occupations on the qualifying credential incentive list can be found on the KBOR website. The list currently includes, but is not limited to, the following occupations:
- Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers;
- Computer support specialists;
- Nursing assistants;
- Automotive service technicians and mechanics;
- Machinists;
- Dental assistants;
- Firefighters;
- Carpenters;
- Welders;
- Electricians;
- Plumbers and pipefitters;
- Sheet metal workers; and
- Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Since the program’s inception, the number of students participating in postsecondary career technical education has grown, resulting in a growth of college credit hours generated and credentials earned by high school students. The following table, published on the KBOR website, summarizes the increase in participation over time per academic year.
| 2010-2011 (Baseline) | 2013-2014 | 2016-2017 | 2019-2020 | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 | |
| Participating Headcount | 3,475 | 8,440 | 10,600 | 13,934 | 12,529 | 13,712 |
| College Credit Hours Generated | 28,000 | 62,195 | 85,150 | 109,226 | 98,681 | 105,509 |
| Credentials Earned | — | 1,419 | 1,459 | 1,631 | 981 | 1,656 |
National Recognition
In 2013, the Career Technical Education Initiative received national recognition as one of the “Top Ten Innovations to Watch” from The Brookings Institution. The same year, Martin Kollman of KSDE and Lisa Beck of KBOR published the article “Free CTE College Tuition and Certification Funding: KS SB 155 at Work” in the September issue of Techniques, a national monthly magazine published by the Association for Career and Technical Education.
Online Courses
Students also have the opportunity to take Excel CTE courses online, available at select community and technical colleges. The following institutions are among the technical and community colleges that offer Excel CTE online eligible classes for Fall 2023/Spring 2024:
- Allen Community College;
- Barton Community College;
- Cloud County Community College;
- Colby Community College;
- Cowley College;
- Flint Hills Technical College;
- Fort Scott Community College;
- Highland Community College;
- Hutchinson Community College;
- Labette Community College;
- Manhattan Area Technical College;
- Neosho County Community College;
- North Central Kansas Technical College; and
- Pratt Community College.
2023 Session
SB 123 enacted during the 2023 session requires school districts to pay assessment fees for identified career technical education credentials at the student’s request. The State Board of Education and the Board of Regents have collaborated to create a list of approved eligible industry credentials for academic year 2024. The list below highlights a few of the career areas approved on the list:
- Medical record specialists;
- Farm equipment mechanics;
- Phlebotomists; and
- Emergency medical technicians and paramedics.
by Brianna Horton
Fiscal Analyst
785-296-6684