NC H275

Establishes an Innovative Signature Career Academy Program as a pilot program in Guilford County Schools featuring 4-6 specialized career academies at traditional high schools focused on high-wage, high-skills careers.

Program components include school-selected priority career pathways, community stakeholder input on pathway development, partnerships with higher education and industry, eighth-grade student choice for academy attendance, and reassignment of CTE teachers to areas of expertise.

Allows Guilford County Schools to contract with individuals having relevant education and training as co-teachers in signature career academies, subject to criminal history checks.

Appropriates $1,500,000 for each fiscal year of the 2019-2021 biennium to Guilford County Schools for establishing and operating the program for at least six school years beginning with 2019-2020.

Creates a tax credit allowing employers a credit equal to 50% of compensation paid to employees who volunteer as co-teachers for a full academic year without receiving compensation from the school district.