Legislation would set up special fund for school innovation
lbonner@newsobserver.comMay 8, 2013   CEOs and school
superintendents are backing a bipartisan bill that would give
schools money to try out and advance new ways to prepare
students for jobs.  A new state commission would award grants to
schools or school districts that meet 10 criteria, including
preparing students for high-growth jobs in their regions. The
state would provide half the grant money, local businesses would
provide 25 percent, and 25 percent would come from businesses
statewide.  The plan is to link schools and school districts
with businesses and community colleges or universities. The aim
is to have businesses more deeply involved in schools and have
more students prepared for jobs, earning industry credentials or
up to two years of college credit while in high school.  No one
knows how much money would go into the fund or the size of grant
awards.  “You have to get the infrastructure down before you can
then start talking about fun