256.38  School-to-work transition system.
  1.  It is the policy of the state of Iowa to provide an education system that prepares the students of this state to meet the high skills demands of today’s workplace. The general assembly recognizes the need to prepare students for any postsecondary opportunity that leads to high-wage, high-skill careers. In order to meet this need, the high school curriculum must be redesigned so students appreciate the relevance of academic course work, reach higher levels of learning in science, math, and communications skills, and acquire the ability to apply this knowledge. Career pathways will modify high school curricula and instruction to provide students with opportunities to achieve high levels of skills and knowledge within a broad range of related career areas, which will require a variety of levels of preparation.
  2.  The departments of education and workforce development and the economic development authority shall develop a statewide school-to-work transition system in consultation with local school districts, community colleges, and labor, business, and industry interests. The system shall be designed to attain the following objectives:
  a.  Motivate youths to stay in school and become productive citizens.
  b.  Set high standards by promoting higher academic performance levels.
  c.  Connect work and learning so that the classroom is linked to worksite learning and experience.
  d.  Ready students for work in order to improve their prospects for immediate employment after leaving school through career pathways that provide significant opportunity to continued education and career development.
  e.  Engage employers and workers by promoting their participation in the education of youth in order to ensure the development of a skilled, flexible, entry-level workforce.
  f.  Provide a framework to position the state to access federal resources for state youth apprenticeship systems and local programs.
95 Acts, ch 196, §1; 96 Acts, ch 1186, §23; 2011 Acts, ch 118, §87, 89
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