Career Technical Education Initiative money to Linn 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.
JayHawk-Linn High School had two students pass the CNA exam and will receive $2000. Bourbon County schools had nine students pass and will receive $9000 between Fort Scott High School and Uniontown High School.
Royce Powelson, Superintendent of Jayhawk-Linn Schools, said, “Everyone at USD 346 congratulates Jessica Gibson and Morgan Mitchell for passing their Certified Nurse’s Aide State Exam.”
“They traveled to the campus of Fort Scott Community College every afternoon over the last semester to participate in the Geriatric Nurse’s Aide course. Not only did they receive free tuition and get certified, but they brought money back to Jayhawk-Linn!”
Jessica Gibson is the daughter of Rebecca Gibson. Morgan Mitchell is the daughter of Becky Potter and Josh Mitchell. Both girls plan to pursue employment in the medical field as Certified Nurse’s Aides while they continue their high school education.
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.
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