20-7-1502. Purpose — intent. (1) The purposes of this part are to:

Terms Used In Montana Code 20-7-1502

  • Advanced opportunity: means any course, exam, or experiential, online, or other learning opportunity that is incorporated in a district's advanced opportunity plan and that is designed to advance each qualifying pupil's opportunity for postsecondary career and educational success. See Montana Code 20-7-1503
  • Pupil: means an individual who is admitted by the board of trustees pursuant to 20-5-101 and who is enrolled in a school established and maintained under the laws of the state at public expense. See Montana Code 20-1-101
  • school: means an institution for the teaching of children that is established and maintained under the laws of the state of Montana at public expense. See Montana Code 20-6-501
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See Montana Code 1-1-201

(a)expand personalized career and technical education opportunities for middle school and high school pupils;

(b)reduce out-of-pocket costs for pupils and families in support of a pupil‘s postsecondary success;

(c)empower pupils to actively engage in forming their postsecondary success path; and

(d)provide expanded flexibility to districts in supporting each pupil’s postsecondary success path to align with each pupil’s individual interests, passions, strengths, needs, and culture.

(2)The legislature intends to fulfill the purposes under subsection (1) by authorizing elected boards of school districts to develop initiatives using advanced opportunity aid that makes a prudent long-term investment in Montana youth by providing state funding for advanced educational opportunities and individualized pathways for career and postsecondary opportunities for pupils through career and technical education that allow pupils to accelerate and self-direct their learning.