The General Assembly finds that:
(1) Many Arkansas high school students are unprepared for the academic rigor of college or to enter the career world of work upon graduation from high school;
(2) A student who is academically prepared for college or to enter the career world upon graduation from high school is more likely to have greater economic success in his or her lifetime;
(3) Rigorous college and career readiness program standards that define what a student is expected to know and be able to do to achieve success in college or a career are consistent with the goals of Arkansas educational agencies and are critical to Arkansas's economy; and
(4) Innovative and creative instructional approaches that enable teachers to integrate academic, career, and technical instruction are necessary to ensure effectiveness.
(5) A career and technical education program of study shall provide sustained, intensive, and focused professional development opportunities that ensure that teachers have the necessary content knowledge to align and integrate curriculum and instruction.