A program to encourage students to pursue technical education is getting glowing reviews from students, business leaders and politicians.

Under the 2012 legislation, the state pays tuition for students who learn technical skills during their junior and senior years of high school. Last year, the state paid $12 million in tuition.

The students spend part of their school day in typical high school classes and the rest attending technical schools or education programs to learn such graphic design, welding or nursing assistants.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports last year the number of high-school students taking career and technical classes at the state’s 26 community and technical colleges jumped 50 percent last year, from 3,870 students to 5,800. The numbers are expected to grow again this year.
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Information from: The Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal