---
kind: "section"
citation: "20 U.S.C. § 2344"
title: "20"
title_heading: "Education"
number: "2344"
heading: "State leadership activities"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/20/2344"
units:
  - "Chapter 44 — Career and Technical Education"
  - "Subchapter I — Career and Technical Education Assistance to the States"
  - "Part B — State Provisions"
---

# §2344. State leadership activities

- (a) **General authority—** From amounts reserved under [section 2322(a)(2) of this title](/usc/20/2322.md?p=a-2), each [eligible agency](/usc/20/2302.md?p=18) shall—
  - (1) conduct [State](/usc/20/2302.md?p=49) leadership activities to improve [career and technical education](/usc/20/2302.md?p=5), which shall include support for—
    - (A) preparation for [non-traditional fields](/usc/20/2302.md?p=33) in current and emerging professions, programs for [special populations](/usc/20/2302.md?p=48), and other activities that expose students, including [special populations](/usc/20/2302.md?p=48), to high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand occupations;
    - (B) individuals in [State](/usc/20/2302.md?p=49) institutions, such as [State](/usc/20/2302.md?p=49) correctional institutions, including juvenile justice facilities, and educational institutions that serve [individuals with disabilities](/usc/20/2302.md?p=28-B);
    - (C) recruiting, preparing, or retaining [career and technical education](/usc/20/2302.md?p=5) teachers, faculty, [specialized instructional support personnel](/usc/20/2302.md?p=46), or [paraprofessionals](/usc/20/2302.md?p=37), such as preservice, [professional development](/usc/20/2302.md?p=40), or leadership development programs; and
    - (D) technical assistance for [eligible recipients](/usc/20/2302.md?p=21); and
  - (2) report on the effectiveness of such use of funds in achieving the goals described in [section 2342(d)(2) of this title](/usc/20/2342.md?p=d-2) and the [State](/usc/20/2302.md?p=49) determined levels of performance described in [section 2323(b)(3)(A) of this title](/usc/20/2323.md?p=b-3-A), and reducing disparities or performance gaps as described in [section 2323(b)(3)(C)(ii)(II) of this title](/usc/20/2323.md?p=b-3-C-ii-II).
- (b) **Permissible uses of funds—** The [State](/usc/20/2302.md?p=49) leadership activities described in [subsection (a)](#a) may include—
  - (1) developing statewide programs of study, which may include standards, curriculum, and course development, and career exploration, guidance, and advisement activities and resources;
  - (2) approving locally developed programs of study that meet the requirements established in [section 2342(d)(4)(B) of this title](/usc/20/2342.md?p=d-4-B);
  - (3) establishing statewide [articulation agreements](/usc/20/2302.md?p=4) aligned to approved programs of study;
  - (4) establishing statewide [industry or sector partnerships](/usc/20/2302.md?p=29) among [local educational agencies](/usc/20/2302.md?p=31), institutions of higher education, adult education providers, [Indian Tribes](/usc/20/2302.md?p=27) and [Tribal organizations](/usc/20/2302.md?p=53) that may be present in the [State](/usc/20/2302.md?p=49), employers, including small businesses, and parents, as appropriate to—
    - (A) develop and implement programs of study aligned to [State](/usc/20/2302.md?p=49) and local economic and education needs, including, as appropriate, in-demand industry sectors and occupations;
    - (B) facilitate the establishment, expansion, and integration of opportunities for students at the secondary level to—
      - (i) successfully complete coursework that integrates rigorous and challenging technical and academic instruction aligned with the challenging [State](/usc/20/2302.md?p=49) academic standards adopted by the [State](/usc/20/2302.md?p=49) under section 1111(b)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 [[20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(1)](/usc/20/6311.md?p=b-1)]; and
      - (ii) earn a [recognized postsecondary credential](/usc/20/2302.md?p=20-B) or credit toward a [recognized postsecondary credential](/usc/20/2302.md?p=20-B), which may be earned through a [dual or concurrent enrollment program](/usc/20/2302.md?p=15) or [early college high school](/usc/20/2302.md?p=16), at no cost to the student or the student’s family; and
    - (C) facilitate [work-based learning](/usc/20/2302.md?p=55) opportunities (including internships, externships, and simulated work environments) into programs of study;
  - (5) for teachers, faculty, [specialized instructional support personnel](/usc/20/2302.md?p=46), and [paraprofessionals](/usc/20/2302.md?p=37) providing [career and technical education](/usc/20/2302.md?p=5) instruction, [support services](/usc/20/2302.md?p=50), and [specialized instructional support services](/usc/20/2302.md?p=47), high-quality comprehensive [professional development](/usc/20/2302.md?p=40) that is, to the extent practicable, grounded in [evidence-based](/usc/20/2302.md?p=23) research (to the extent a [State](/usc/20/2302.md?p=49) determines that such evidence is reasonably available) that identifies the most effective educator [professional development](/usc/20/2302.md?p=40) process and is coordinated and aligned with other [professional development](/usc/20/2302.md?p=40) activities carried out by the [State](/usc/20/2302.md?p=49) (including under title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 [[20 U.S.C. 6601](/usc/20/6601.md) et seq.] and title II of the Higher Education Act of 1965 [[20 U.S.C. 1021](/usc/20/1021.md) et seq.]), including programming that—
    - (A) promotes the integration of the challenging [State](/usc/20/2302.md?p=49) academic standards adopted by the [State](/usc/20/2302.md?p=49) under section 1111(b)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 [[20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(1)](/usc/20/6311.md?p=b-1)] and relevant technical knowledge and skills, including programming jointly delivered to academic and [career and technical education](/usc/20/2302.md?p=5) teachers;
    - (B) prepares [career and technical education](/usc/20/2302.md?p=5) teachers, faculty, [specialized instructional support personnel](/usc/20/2302.md?p=46), and [paraprofessionals](/usc/20/2302.md?p=37) to provide appropriate accommodations for students who are members of [special populations](/usc/20/2302.md?p=48), including through the use of principles of [universal design for learning](/usc/20/2302.md?p=54), multi-tier systems of supports, and positive behavioral interventions and support; and
    - (C) increases the ability of teachers, faculty, [specialized instructional support personnel](/usc/20/2302.md?p=46), and [paraprofessionals](/usc/20/2302.md?p=37) providing [career and technical education](/usc/20/2302.md?p=5) instruction to stay current with industry standards and earn an industry-recognized credential or license, as appropriate, including by assisting those with relevant industry experience in obtaining [State](/usc/20/2302.md?p=49) teacher licensure or credential requirements;
  - (6) supporting [eligible recipients](/usc/20/2302.md?p=21) in eliminating inequities in student access to—
    - (A) high-quality programs of study that provide skill development; and
    - (B) effective teachers, faculty, [specialized instructional support personnel](/usc/20/2302.md?p=46), and [paraprofessionals](/usc/20/2302.md?p=37);
  - (7) awarding incentive grants to [eligible recipients](/usc/20/2302.md?p=21)—
    - (A) for exemplary performance in carrying out programs under this chapter, which awards shall be based on—
      - (i) [eligible recipients](/usc/20/2302.md?p=21) exceeding the local level of performance on a core indicator of performance established under [section 2323(b)(4)(A) of this title](/usc/20/2323.md?p=b-4-A) in a manner that reflects sustained or significant improvement;
      - (ii) [eligible recipients](/usc/20/2302.md?p=21) effectively developing connections between secondary education and postsecondary education and training;
      - (iii) the integration of academic and technical standards;
      - (iv) [eligible recipients](/usc/20/2302.md?p=21)’ progress in closing achievement gaps among subpopulations who participate in programs of study; or
      - (v) other factors relating to the performance of [eligible recipients](/usc/20/2302.md?p=21) under this chapter as the [eligible agency](/usc/20/2302.md?p=18) determines are appropriate; or
    - (B) if an [eligible recipient](/usc/20/2302.md?p=21) elects to use funds as permitted under [section 2355(c) of this title](/usc/20/2355.md?p=c);
  - (8) providing support for—
    - (A) the adoption and integration of [recognized postsecondary credentials](/usc/20/2302.md?p=20-B) and [work-based learning](/usc/20/2302.md?p=55) into programs of study, and for increasing data collection associated with [recognized postsecondary credentials](/usc/20/2302.md?p=20-B) and employment outcomes; or
    - (B) consultation and coordination with other [State](/usc/20/2302.md?p=49) agencies for the identification and examination of licenses or certifications that—
      - (i) pose an unwarranted barrier to entry into the workforce for [career and technical education](/usc/20/2302.md?p=5) students; and
      - (ii) do not protect the health, safety, or welfare of consumers;
  - (9) the creation, implementation, and support of [pay for success initiatives](/usc/20/2302.md?p=38-A) leading to a [recognized postsecondary credential](/usc/20/2302.md?p=20-B);
  - (10) support for [career and technical education](/usc/20/2302.md?p=5) programs for adults and [out-of-school youth](/usc/20/2302.md?p=35) concurrent with their completion of their [secondary school](/usc/20/2302.md?p=44) education in a school or other educational setting;
  - (11) the creation, evaluation, and support of competency-based curricula;
  - (12) support for the development, implementation, and expansion of programs of study or [career pathways](/usc/20/2302.md?p=8) in areas declared to be in a [state](/usc/20/2302.md?p=49) of emergency under [section 5191 of title 42](/usc/42/5191.md);
  - (13) partnering with [qualified intermediaries](/usc/20/2302.md?p=42) to improve training, the development of public-private partnerships, systems development, capacity-building, and scalability of the delivery of high-quality [career and technical education](/usc/20/2302.md?p=5);
  - (14) improvement of [career guidance and academic counseling](/usc/20/2302.md?p=7) programs that assist students in making informed academic and [career and technical education](/usc/20/2302.md?p=5) decisions, including academic and financial aid counseling;
  - (15) support for the integration of employability skills into [career and technical education](/usc/20/2302.md?p=5) programs and programs of study;
  - (16) support for programs and activities that increase access, student engagement, and success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields (including computer science, coding, and architecture), support for the integration of arts and design skills, and support for hands-on learning, particularly for students who are members of groups underrepresented in such subject fields, such as female students, minority students, and students who are members of [special populations](/usc/20/2302.md?p=48);
  - (17) support for [career and technical student organizations](/usc/20/2302.md?p=6-A), especially with respect to efforts to increase the participation of students in nontraditional fields and students who are members of [special populations](/usc/20/2302.md?p=48);
  - (18) support for establishing and expanding [work-based learning](/usc/20/2302.md?p=55) opportunities that are aligned to [career and technical education](/usc/20/2302.md?p=5) programs and programs of study;
  - (19) integrating and aligning programs of study and [career pathways](/usc/20/2302.md?p=8);
  - (20) supporting the use of [career and technical education](/usc/20/2302.md?p=5) programs and programs of study aligned with [State](/usc/20/2302.md?p=49), regional, or local high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations identified by the [State](/usc/20/2302.md?p=49) workforce development board described in [section 3111 of title 29](/usc/29/3111.md) or [local workforce development boards](/usc/20/2302.md?p=32);
  - (21) making all forms of instructional content widely available, which may include use of open educational resources;
  - (22) developing valid and reliable assessments of competencies and technical skills and enhancing data systems to collect and analyze data on secondary and postsecondary academic and employment outcomes;
  - (23) support for accelerated learning programs, as described in section 4104(b)(3)(A)(i)(IV) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 [[20 U.S.C. 7114(b)(3)(A)(i)(IV)](/usc/20/7114.md?p=b-3-A-i-IV)], in the case of any such program that is part of a [career and technical education](/usc/20/2302.md?p=5) [program of study](/usc/20/2302.md?p=41);
  - (24) support for career academies to implement a postsecondary education and workforce-ready curriculum at the secondary education level that integrates rigorous academic, technical, and employability contents through [career and technical education](/usc/20/2302.md?p=5) programs and programs of study that address needs described in the comprehensive needs assessment under [section 2354(c) of this title](/usc/20/2354.md?p=c); and
  - (25) other [State](/usc/20/2302.md?p=49) leadership activities that improve [career and technical education](/usc/20/2302.md?p=5).
- (c) **Restriction on uses of funds—** An [eligible agency](/usc/20/2302.md?p=18) that receives funds under [section 2322(a)(2) of this title](/usc/20/2322.md?p=a-2) may not use any of such funds for administrative costs, unless expressly authorized under [subsection (a)](#a).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 88–210, title I, § 124, as added Pub. L. 109–270, § 1(b), Aug. 12, 2006, 120 Stat. 723; amended Pub. L. 113–128, title V, § 512(e)(4), July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1707; Pub. L. 114–95, title IX, § 9215(n)(7), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 2170; Pub. L. 115–224, title I, § 124, July 31, 2018, 132 Stat. 1608.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, referred to in subsec. (b)(5), is Pub. L. 89–10, Apr. 11, 1965, 79 Stat. 27, as amended. Title II of the Act is classified generally to subchapter II (§ 6601 et seq.) of chapter 70 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 6301 of this title and Tables.

The Higher Education Act of 1965, referred to in subsec. (b)(5), is Pub. L. 89–329, Nov. 8, 1965, 79 Stat. 1219, as amended. Title II of the Act is classified generally to subchapter II (§ 1021 et seq.) of chapter 28 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1001 of this title and Tables.

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 2344, Pub. L. 88–210, title I, § 124, as added Pub. L. 105–332, § 1(b), Oct. 31, 1998, 112 Stat. 3107, related to State leadership activities, prior to the general amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 109–270.

### Amendments

2018—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–224, § 124(1), substituted “shall—” for “shall conduct State leadership activities.” and added pars. (1) and (2).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–224, § 124(2), substituted “Permissible” for “Required” in heading and “may” for “shall” in introductory provisions, added pars. (1) to (25), and struck out former pars. (1) to (9) which set out activities required to be included in State leadership activities.

Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 115–224, § 124(3)–(5), redesignated subsec. (d) as (c), inserted “, unless expressly authorized under subsection (a)” before period at end, and struck out former subsec. (c) which set out permissible uses of funds for State leadership activities.

2015—Subsec. (b)(4)(A). Pub. L. 114–95 substituted “a well-rounded education (as defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965)” for “the core academic subjects (as defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965)”.

2014—Subsec. (c)(13). Pub. L. 113–128 substituted “such as through referral to the system established under section 3151 of title 29” for “such as through referral to the system established under section 2841 of title 29”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 115–224 effective July 1, 2019, see section 4 of Pub. L. 115–224, set out as a note under section 2301 of this title.

### Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–95 effective Dec. 10, 2015, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see section 5 of Pub. L. 114–95, set out as a note under section 6301 of this title.

### Effective Date of 2014 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 113–128 effective on the first day of the first full program year after July 22, 2014 (July 1, 2015), see section 506 of Pub. L. 113–128, set out as an Effective Date note under section 3101 of Title 29, Labor.