Nebraska Revised Statutes Chapter 79. Schools § 79-773. Legislative findings

(a) Since 1928, Nebraska students have benefited from participation in career education student organizations;

(b) Research conducted in 2007 by the National Research Center for Career and Technical Education has documented a positive association between career education student organizations participation and academic motivation, academic engagement, grades, career self-efficacy, college aspirations, and employability skills;

(c) Long-term sustainability of the state associations of career education student organizations has a positive impact on Nebraska students and is in the best interests of the economic well-being of the State of Nebraska;

(d) Students in Nebraska schools should have opportunities to acquire academic, technical, and employability knowledge and skills needed to meet the demands of a global economy;

(e) Students benefit from the opportunities provided by career education student organizations to develop and demonstrate leadership skills that prepare them for civic, economic, and entrepreneurial leadership roles;

(f) Students benefit from engaging in expanded-learning experiences outside their normal classrooms that allow them to apply their knowledge and skill in authentic situations;

(g) There is a need to establish and expand strategies and programs that enable young people to be college-ready and career-ready, build assets, and remain as productive citizens in their communities; and

(h) There is a need to establish a statewide structure that supports existing and emerging curriculum and program offerings with student leadership development opportunities and experiences.