Career Technical Education Initiative money to Bourbon County schools.
Fort Scott, Kansas – Fort Scott Community is pleased to announce that eleven area high school students have passed the State Certified Nursing Aide exam while enrolled at FSCC with the help of Senate Bill 155. In addition to preparing for a future career in healthcare, each student has earned a thousand dollars for their school under the rules of SB 155.
Senate Bill 155 (also known as the Career Technical Education Initiative) is most famous for offering free tuition to high school students for approved technical courses at Kansas technical schools and community colleges. However, students that complete a technical program of study earn a $1000 for their high school.
Randy Rockhold, Uniontown’s Superintendent and High School Principal, said, “Uniontown HS partnered with Fort Scott Community to ensure our students had access to vocational opportunities that result in a career ready credential.”
Uniontown High School had four students pass the CNA exam and will receive $4000.
“The reality that four students have just completed the CNA certification program is a fruit of this partnership. Students are accessing quality vocational programs and they are succeeding. What a blessing to provide quality educational opportunities that result in career readiness.”
Bob Beckham, Superintendent of Fort Scott Schools, adds, “I was thrilled to hear that five of our students fulfilled the requirements necessary and I am very appreciative of the partnership that exists between FSCC and USD #234.”
Fort Scott High School had five students pass the CNA exam and will receive $5000.
JayHawk-Linn High School also had two students pass the CNA exam and will receive $2000.
The CNA program takes one semester to complete and earns the student four college credit hours. It is one of the shortest programs eligible for SB 155 money and one of the most common stepping-stones to careers in healthcare, nursing and medicine.
The CNA course available through the Allied Health program is one of 90 courses offered on the FSCC campus in Fort Scott that are eligible for SB 155 funding. Eligible programs include Agriculture, Allied Health, Business, Computers, Construction Trades, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice, Environmental Water Technology and Nursing Courses.
Regena Lance, Dean of Instruction at FSCC, said, “This is an amazing opportunity for high school students! I encourage any interested student to take full advantage of what FSCC offers.”
This fall FSCC had 144 students funded by SB 155. Those students took 908 hours. This resulted in more than $80,000 in tuition dollars paid by the state. Fees, textbooks and other costs paid by the student are not included in that figure.
Lance continued, “We also look forward to our current students continuing with the vocational programs, getting a certification, credential or license and bringing home more money to schools.”
Students interested in taking FSCC courses during high school should contact Tom Havron, Director of Admissions at 223-2700 x.3520.
###