(a) When determining grant recipients under the K-12 component of the Strong Workforce Program, the K-12 Selection Committee shall consider past performance of grantees before awarding additional funds to those reapplying for grants.

(b) (1) The K-12 Selection Committee shall give positive consideration to each of the following characteristics in an applicant:

(A) Aligned programs serving unduplicated pupils, as defined in Section 42238.02.

(B) Programs that the K-12 Selection Committee, in consultation with the consortium, determines most effectively meet the needs of the local and regional economies.

(C) Programs serving pupil subgroups that have higher than average dropout rates as identified by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

(D) Programs located in an area of the state with a high unemployment rate.

(2) When determining grant recipients, the K-12 Selection Committee shall give greatest weight to the applicant characteristics included in this subdivision.

(c) The K-12 Selection Committee shall also give positive consideration to programs to the extent they do any of the following:

(1) Successfully leverage one or both of the following:

(A) Existing structures, requirements, and resources of the federal Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) (Public Law 115-224), the partnership academies program pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 54690) of Chapter 9 of Part 29 of Division 4 of Title 2, or the agricultural career technical education incentive program pursuant to Article 7.5 (commencing with Section 52460) of Chapter 9 of Part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2.

(B) Contributions from industry, labor, and philanthropic sources.

(2) Make significant investments in career technical education infrastructure, equipment, and facilities.

(3) Operate within rural school districts.

(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 51, Sec. 61. (SB 75) Effective July 1, 2019.)