(1) Each program must meet the K-12 "Standards and Guidelines for Secondary Career and Vocational/Technical Education in Montana" for an approved secondary career and vocational/technical education program to be eligible for state funding.   Requirements common to all programs are:

(a) The program shall have the primary objective of developing skills leading to employment as well as entry into advanced career and vocational/technical training;

(b) Specific objectives shall be defined in terms of skills to be developed and related to a specific career by CIP code;

(c) Career and technical education student enrollment reports are required for funding;

(d) The program shall be determined by the career and vocational/technical education needs of students based on a needs assessment.   Program information shall be projected for more than a one-year period;

(e) Programs shall be developed and conducted in consultation with an advisory council/committee;

(f) Instruction shall be based on an analysis of skills and knowledge required in the career cluster;

(g) The program shall develop personal, career and leadership skills that promote the transition from school to careers.   Career and technical student organizations (CTSO's) that foster these skills are: FFA, FCCLA, DECA, BPA, HOSA, SkillsUSA-VICA, and TSA;

(h) Provision shall be made for career and vocational/ technical guidance and shall include, but not be limited to, career information and counseling;

(i) Prerequisite courses may be required which provide students with information and experience to make sound career, education and/or training choices;

(j) Instructors shall be certified in accordance with the board of public education requirements and endorsed in the program area for which they are making application;

(k) Instructional equipment and facilities shall be modern and reflective of industry standards and adequate for the maintenance of acceptable education, health and safety standards;

(l) Provisions shall be made for follow-up of secondary graduates;

(m) The maximum number of students per class shall be determined with consideration given to instructional environment, equipment, supervision, safety, space and resources, and individual student instruction;

(n) Programs should be planned to provide a seamless system of organized educational activities;

(o) Programs shall ensure equal access for all students;

(p) Each school shall conduct a yearly career and vocational/technical program self-evaluation and submit a copy to the office of public instruction.   The school shall cooperate with the office of public instruction in program review and evaluation activities;

(q) Local education agencies shall use career and vocational/technical education funds to add to or enhance local funds to improve career and vocational/technical programs.   Funds will not be approved when it has been determined that replacement of local funds will occur;

(r) Accounting procedures must use standard school accounting codes.   The money received by the high school district must be deposited into the subfund of the miscellaneous programs fund established by 20-9-507, MCA and may be expended only for approved secondary K-12 career and vocational/technical education programs.   The expenditure of the money must be reported in the annual trustees' report as required by 20-9-213, MCA.

(2) A school district must have operated an approved secondary career and vocational/technical education program in the immediate preceding year to be eligible for state funding.