In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “College partner” means an institution of higher education that: Has received a certificate of approval from the Commission under Title 11, Subtitle 2 of this article; Has entered into a memorandum of understanding with a P–TECH school; Helps to develop and coordinate the pathway sequence; and Provides student support services to P–TECH students. “Commission” means the Maryland Higher Education Commission. “County board” includes a consortium of county boards that have an agreement to operate a P–TECH school that serves the students in the local school systems that are part of the consortium. “Industry partner” means an employer that: Has entered into a memorandum of understanding with a P–TECH school; Helps develop and coordinate the pathway sequence; and Provides mentoring and internship opportunities for P–TECH students. “P–TECH school” means a Pathways in Technology Early College High school that: Is a public secondary school selected by the Department; Partners with a college partner; Partners with an industry partner; and Has executed a memorandum of understanding in accordance with § 7–1802(b)(2) of this subtitle. “P–TECH school costs” means the following costs of operating a P–TECH school and offering and administering a pathway sequence: Additional staff for the P–TECH school to implement the pathway sequence; Instructional support services including professional development for staff for the pathway sequence, pathway sequence materials, additional teacher planning, and additional coordination; Extended day programs; Student support services including counseling, tutoring, student career exploration, and student events relating to a pathway sequence; Student textbooks, materials, or technology that a student is required to use as part of the pathway sequence; and Transportation services. “P–TECH student” means a student enrolled in a P–TECH school. “Pathway sequence” means a curriculum or course of study at a P–TECH school that leads to a high school diploma and an associate’s degree that may be completed within a 6–year time period. “Program” means the Pathways in Technology Early College High School Program.

There is a Pathways in Technology Early College High School Program in the State. The Department, in consultation with the Commission, shall administer and develop the Program to assist county boards in establishing P–TECH schools. A P–TECH school: Shall: Reserve at least 50% of its available space for students who meet the free and reduced price meal income criteria; and Be established through a memorandum of understanding executed between one or more industry partners, one or more college partners, and a county board; and May be established as a school within a school. The memorandum of understanding executed in accordance with paragraph (1)(i)2 of this subsection shall include provisions ensuring that: Each P–TECH student receives: Substantive mentoring by an industry partner; At least one paid summer internship of at least 6 weeks’ duration with an industry partner; and A high school diploma from the county board in the county where the P–TECH school is located immediately following completion of all high school graduation requirements, regardless of whether the P–TECH student has completed a pathway sequence; and P–TECH students are first in line for consideration for a job at the industry partner after graduation. A student who is enrolled in a P–TECH school may not be considered a dually enrolled student under Title 18, Subtitle 14A of this article.

There is a P–TECH Planning Grant Program in the State. The purpose of the P–TECH Planning Grant Program is to provide grants to county boards to plan and develop P–TECH schools in the State. Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, beginning in fiscal year 2018, no more than one P–TECH Planning Grant may be awarded in a local school system. Funds for the P–TECH Planning Grant Program shall be as provided in the State budget. Beginning in fiscal year 2020, no more than three new P–TECH Planning Grants may be awarded to establish a new P–TECH school until the 2016–2017 cohort of P–TECH students completes the 6–year pathway sequence.

A P–TECH student may not be required to pay any cost that is related to enrollment and participation in the Program, including tuition and mandatory fees. P–TECH students shall be included in the full–time equivalent enrollment under § 5–201 of this article as follows: Multiply the number of students who are enrolled in the fifth year of the Program by 0.50; and Multiply the number of students who are enrolled in the sixth year of the Program by 0.25. Student credit hours earned at a community college by a P–TECH student shall be included in the full–time equivalent student calculation established in §§ 16–305 and 16–502 of this article. A P–TECH supplemental college grant is an amount equal to the tuition and mandatory fees that would normally be charged for the classes in which the P–TECH student is enrolled. The State share of a P–TECH supplemental college grant shall be calculated and distributed by the State to college partners and equals: 50% for counties that received a grant under § 16–501 of the Local Government Article in the prior fiscal year; or 25% for counties that did not receive a grant under § 16–501 of the Local Government Article in the prior fiscal year. The local share of a P–TECH supplemental college grant shall be calculated and distributed by a county board to college partners and equals the amount not paid by the State under this paragraph. The State share of a P–TECH supplemental school grant is not less than $750 per P–TECH student per school year and shall be used for P–TECH school costs. The State share of a P–TECH supplemental school grant shall be calculated and distributed by the Department to county boards. A county board that receives a P–TECH supplemental school grant shall match 100% of the State share.

The Department shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this subtitle.

On or before December 1 each year, the Department, in consultation with the Commission, shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the implementation of the Program in the State, including: The number of students enrolled in each P–TECH school; The industry partners associated with each P–TECH school; The pathway sequence created for each P–TECH school; How P–TECH students performed on federal and State assessments; The number of P–TECH students graduating from each P–TECH school and receiving a high school diploma and an associate’s degree; The year in which each P–TECH student graduated and received the degree; The number of P–TECH students in each P–TECH school who receive paid internships with each industry partner; The number of P–TECH students in each P–TECH school on track for on–time completion of the pathway sequence; The rate of attrition, if any, from each P–TECH school by grade and by cohort; The number of students at each P–TECH school who have an IEP plan, have a 504 plan, or are English Language Learners; The percentage of P–TECH students who meet the free and reduced meal plan income criteria in each P–TECH school; The number of P–TECH students in each P–TECH school who, by the fourth year of the pathway sequence, complete the requirements for a high school diploma; The number of P–TECH students in each P–TECH school who are employed after completion of the pathway sequence with each industry partner or who matriculate to a public or private senior higher education institution after finishing the pathway sequence; The base and supplemental costs of operating a P–TECH school; The total amount of funds distributed to each P–TECH school in accordance with this subtitle; An accounting of each P–TECH school’s expenditures; and Whether all funds distributed under this subtitle were spent. On or before December 1, 2023, the Department, in consultation with the Commission, shall submit to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly: An analysis of the annual data reported under subsection (a) of this section; and An evaluation of whether the P–TECH Program is successful in preparing students for the workforce or for further postsecondary education.