Tech education incentives cut for Kansas school districts

(AP) — Kansas' budget woes are leading to cuts to a program designed to boost the number of high school students taking technical education courses and earning industry credentials.

The initiative provides incentives for each high school student who graduated with an industry-recognized credential in high-need occupations, such as welders, nursing assistants and computer support specialists.

The legislation also called for the state to help pay tuition and transportation costs for high school students enrolled in career and technical education at a community or technical college.

[...] the Kansas State Department of Education said in a memo last week that the per-pupil payment for students who obtained certificates in certain high-demand fields will be "approximately $450" for the just-completed school year.