281—49.6 (279) Career information and decision-making systems. Each district shall use a career information and decision-making system approved by the department.
	   49.6(1) Approval process. The department shall establish a process for the review and approval of vendor-provided career information and decision-making systems from which districts shall choose in compliance with this chapter.
	   49.6(2) State designated system. The department shall establish a process for the review and approval of a single state-designated career information and decision-making system from among the systems approved through the process established in subrule 49.6(1) which districts may use in compliance with this chapter.
	   49.6(3) Minimum functions of approved systems. An approved system shall, at a minimum, support the requirements of rule 281—49.3(279) and meet the following minimum requirements:
	      a.    	 Allow for the creation of student accounts, which allow a student to store and access the results and information gathered from the inventories, searches, and associated activities outlined in paragraphs “b” through “d” of this subrule.
	      b.    	 Include developmentally appropriate inventories and assessments that promote self-understanding and the connection to work. Inventories and assessments shall include, but not be limited to, an interest inventory; a work values assessment; and an abilities, strengths, or skills assessment.
	      c.    	 Include a search platform for career information. The platform shall allow a student to access and review career information related to the results of the inventories listed in paragraph “b” of this subrule. Career information shall include, but not be limited to, current and accurate state and national wage, earning, and employment outlook data for a given occupation; job descriptions, including such information as essential duties and aptitudes; and training and education requirements. The career information search platform shall, at a minimum, allow a student to sort information by wage and earning, career cluster, and training and education requirements.
	      d.    	 Include a search platform for postsecondary information. Postsecondary information shall include, but not be limited to, a current, accurate, and comprehensive database of accredited professional colleges, technical and community colleges, and public and private baccalaureate colleges and universities; and include or provide links to apprenticeship and military opportunities. The postsecondary information search platform shall, at a minimum, allow a student to sort information by program and degree type, institution type, location, size of enrollment, and affiliation and appropriate institutional characteristics, such as designation as a historically black college and university or Hispanic-serving institution, and religious affiliation.
	      e.    	 Track basic utilization for the functions outlined in paragraphs “a” through “d” of this subrule. Districts shall have the ability to generate and export a report on the utilization statistics.
	      f.    	 Ensure compliance with applicable federal and state civil rights laws.
	      g.    	 Disclose the source and age of, as well as frequency of updates to, all information and data.
	      h.    	 Provide auxiliary services including, but not limited to:
	       (1)  	 A process for districts to submit comments, feedback, and modification requests to the vendor.
	       (2)  	 Technical assistance during regular school district operating hours.
	       (3)  	 Appropriate training for users.
[ARC 2620C, IAB 7/20/16, effective 6/21/16]