(a) Each fiscal year, the State shall distribute the State share of the foundation program to each county board.
(b) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this section, each fiscal year, the county board shall distribute to each school the minimum school funding amount for the foundation program calculated under § 5–234 of this subtitle.
(c) (1) Each county board shall distribute to the local workforce development board for the county the following amount multiplied by the enrollment count in the county:
(i) For fiscal year 2024, $62; and
(ii) For fiscal years 2025 through 2028, the prior fiscal year amount increased by the inflation adjustment.
(2) The funds distributed under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be used to support the Career Counseling Program for Middle and High School Students established under § 7–127 of this article that is provided collaboratively by the workforce development board, the school, any other relevant State or local agencies, and employers.
(3) On or before June 30, 2024, and in each of the next 4 fiscal years, the local workforce development board, in collaboration with the county board and any other relevant State or local agencies, shall report to the Accountability and Implementation Board established under Subtitle 4 of this title on the use of the funds and the impact of the funds on providing career counseling.
(4) On or before January 1, 2027, the Accountability and Implementation Board shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the effectiveness of the Career Counseling Program for Middle and High School Students, including:
(i) Whether career counseling services have adequately prepared students for post–college and career readiness pathways, including:
1. Percentage of students who completed a career readiness assessment;
2. Student self–reported confidence levels in career readiness;
3. Number of students participating in career counseling sessions and completing a 6–year career plan by the end of 8th grade;
4. Number of students who participated in career exploration activities, including field trips, college or training center visits, career fairs, or registered apprenticeship programs;
5. Number of students who identified post–college and career readiness pathway preferences; and
6. Percentage of students applying to postsecondary education, career training programs, or registered apprenticeships;
(ii) Whether students have received high–quality career opportunities as a result of the Program, including:
1. Number of students participating in registered apprenticeships, internships, job shadowing, or other workplace opportunities facilitated by the Program;
2. Employer satisfaction ratings of student preparedness and performance;
3. Number of students securing a registered apprenticeship or part–time employment related to their field of interest after engaging with the Program before graduation; and
4. Number of new employer collaborations each year; and
(iii) Identifying long–term metrics for the Program to determine the Program’s effectiveness in guiding high school students toward satisfactory career paths after completing high school, including consideration of:
1. Employment rate of program graduates within 6 to 12 months post graduation;
2. Percentage of students employed in their field of interest or related industry within 1 year of graduation;
3. Student–reported job satisfaction and career alignment based on follow–up surveys;
4. College persistence and completion rates for students who participated in the Program; and
5. Reduction in the number of students who are unemployed or not participating in a postsecondary education program compared to pre–Program data.
(d) (1) In this subsection, “collaborative time per pupil amount” means:
(i) For fiscal year 2029, $334;
(ii) For fiscal year 2030, $512;
(iii) For fiscal year 2031, $698;
(iv) For fiscal year 2032, $891;
(v) For fiscal year 2033, $1,093;
(vi) For fiscal year 2034, $1,306;
(vii) For fiscal year 2035, $1,527; and
(viii) For each fiscal year thereafter, the collaborative time per pupil amount in the prior fiscal year increased by the inflation adjustment.
(2) The collaborative time per pupil amount multiplied by the enrollment count in each county shall be distributed to and expended by schools in each county in accordance with Title 6, Subtitle 10 of this article and the county’s collaborative time implementation plan approved by the Accountability and Implementation Board.