By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LUTCHER — A law change made Thursday will allow for TOPS Tech funding to help high school students obtain technical career credentials, which could mean a jump-start in continuing education credits and certifications for thousands of River Region high school students.

Last week the Louisiana Department of Education’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved new Course Choice providers and, for the first time, TOPS Tech Early Start providers as required by Act 737 of the 2014 Regular Legislative Session.

Through Act 737, TOPS Tech Early Start will provide tuition for high school juniors and seniors to pursue industry-based occupational or vocational education credentials in top-demand occupations while still in high school.

Act 737 expands the use of the TOPS-Tech Early Start award to provide tuition for high school juniors and seniors to pursue any technical or applied course leading to an Industry-Based Certification, Certificate of Applied Sciences or a Certificate of Technical Sciences.

In the first year, those providers will include the St. James Parish School District, which offers a portfolio of academic and career preparation courses as part of its Career and Technology Center.

The center focuses on five programs: construction, medical, cosmetology, welding and culinary arts.

“I was encouraged to see how aggressive the state is in providing opportunities for our students to obtain skills that will prepare them for college and a high-wage, high-demand careers,” St. James Superintendent Dr. Lonnie Luce said. “The announcement has the potential of allowing us to expand our programs that service our students and students in the surrounding parishes.”

Luce said funding has historically been a major obstacle for neighboring parishes that wanted more of their students in the St. James Parish  program.

The state announced it will pay for up to two courses per student each semester — at a rate of $150 per course — for courses offered at a Louisiana public or non-public postsecondary institution or any Louisiana training provider recognized by the Louisiana Workforce Commission and approved by BESE.

“I hope that students will take advantage of the opportunities that abound in our state,” Luce said. “The forward-thinking leaders in our state are putting a lot of effort in creating the ability of our K-12 institutions and our community and technical colleges to prepare our students for an unprecedented industrial boom in our state.”

The Course Choice program will provide opportunities for Louisiana students by partnering with industry, higher education, online education and schools themselves to offer a diverse range of courses for students.

Act 482 of the 2014 Regular Legislative Session brought Course Choice into alignment with the Supplemental Course Allocations, allowing students to choose a potential career path through diverse college and career training preparatory courses. The courses are offered through universities, colleges, technical colleges, business and industry, and are based on the needs of Louisiana’s economy and workforce.

For the 2014-2015 school year, there are 47 providers offering more than 1,000 courses ranging from foreign language to dual enrollment and special skill crafts.

“Offering our students quality courses aligning with the future demands of our state’s job market is key,” State Superintendent John White said.

“These programs will expand new ways of providing students an opportunity to access a customized pathway to prosperity, giving students a competitive edge in the workforce.”

For information on St. James Parish’s Career and Technology, visit stjamesctc.sharpschool.net.

For information on the Course Choice, visit louisianabelieves.com/courses/supplemental-course-academy.

For information on TOPS-Tech, visit louisianabelieves.com/courses/tops-tech-early-start-training-providers.