King says Fayette County CTE students topped state Nocti goal; law and public safety program launches

King, a staff member at Fayette County Schools’ career and technical education center, told the advisory council that students at the center exceeded the state benchmark on the Nocti career-technical exam and outlined new programming and recruitment efforts.

"The Nocti test is the standardized test that the state Department of Education has decided CTE centers use to measure their success rate," King said, noting the state target is 64 percent and reporting the Theta Institute Technology students posted an 81.25 percent pass rate last year. He said that metric is a primary gauge for how the center’s programs are judged by state officials.

Why it matters: High pass rates on the Nocti exam are used by the state to evaluate CTE centers and can affect program reputation and support. King said the center’s outcomes reflect strong instructor-student engagement and real-world skill development.

King also highlighted student workplace experience: 31 students completed paid internships last spring semester and roughly 27 students undertook clinical placements, putting nearly 60 students into employer settings during the second semester. He said the center routinely has students earn state or national workforce credentials and that 53 students won awards at state or national competitions last year, including a national first-place finish in the adult LPN contest.

New program and instructor: King announced a new law and public safety program to prepare students for roles with local police departments, the sheriff’s office, corrections and courts. He introduced the course instructor as Steve Neil, who described his background in the meeting: "4 years military, 12 years at the prison, and I retired from the state county sheriff's department," Neil said.

King said the program will include seminars in corrections, law enforcement and courts/legal systems and that the curriculum is intended to connect students with local job opportunities, including positions with town police forces and the sheriff's office.

Recruitment and open house: To boost enrollment, the center plans an open house targeted at sophomore parents countywide. King named Nov. 6 as the planned date and said invitations are being mailed to every sophomore parent in the county to encourage one-on-one time with instructors and better student–course matching.

Community education and evening offerings: King summarized evening community classes currently offered or planned—herbal medicine, quilting, line dancing—and said hobby-level welding is now available in the evenings. He said the center is seeking a quilting instructor and is exploring whether to offer evening welding or HVAC classes if staffing and resources allow.

Enrollment and attendance: In response to questions, King gave approximate enrollment figures—juniors about 227, seniors about 189 and total enrollment "around 500," including ROTC—and said class sections can be pushed to about 240 students at maximum capacity. Asked about attendance, he said the center’s attendance is in the mid-90s and below the district’s chronic-absence concern; King offered to provide an exact chronic-absence figure later.

The council moved and seconded an adjournment motion; members signaled in favor and the meeting was adjourned, after which attendees went to a scheduled dinner. The transcript ends with a follow-up cue to "Mister Lee Drake."