Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 49, December 7, 2024
Section 339.56 - Authority(a) Article XVIII of the School Code (24 P. S. §§ 18-1801-18-1855) authorizes school boards to establish and operate TIs for the purpose of offering post-high school programs to prepare out of school youths and adults for occupations requiring technical training.(b) TIs shall be regulated by Article XVIII of the School Code, this chapter and by procedural guidelines prepared by the Department and adopted by the State Board for Vocational Education.(c) Section 1841 of the School Code (24 P. S. § 18-1841) authorizes the establishment of a TI by a majority vote in convention or by mail called for by: (1) Boards of public education.(2) Intermediate units' board of directors through a certified vote. (See section 1844(a) and (d) of the School Code (24 P. S. § 18-1844(a) and (d)) regarding establishment of schools and institutes). State Vocational Board approval is required prior to the establishment of a TI.(d) Participating school districts shall have authority to enter into written agreements establishing their rights and obligations. This agreement may not be changed without the consent of each participating school district's board of directors as determined by a majority vote, in accordance with section 1850.1(a) of the School Code (24 P. S. § 18-1850.1(a)) regarding organization and operation of schools and institutes.(e) TIs have the authority to offer technical certificates. TIs may not grant degrees, but shall develop articulation agreements with degree-granting institutions to facilitate transfer of student credit.(f) This section and §§ 339.57 and 339.58 (relating to TIs) apply only to the establishment of TIs as authorized by section 18-1855 of the School Code (24 P. S. § 18-1855).