In this chapter:
(1) “Agency” means the Texas Education Agency.
(2) “Certified program” means a career and technology secondary and postsecondary education program conducted under an agreement as described by § 311.003 or a voluntary program certified by the agency in conjunction with the commission as meeting the standards prescribed by § 311.002, and that:
(A) integrates a secondary school academic curriculum with private sector workplace training and a postsecondary curriculum;
(B) places students in job internships;
(C) is designed to continue into postsecondary education and lead to the participant earning an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree;
(D) will result in teaching new skills and adding value to the wage-earning potential of participants and increasing a participant’s long-term employability in this state; and
(E) meets recognized or accepted industry standards.
(3) “Participant” means a person at least 16 years of age who is enrolled in a public or private secondary or postsecondary school, or an equivalent program, and who began to voluntarily participate in a certified voluntary workforce training program as part of secondary school education.
(4) “Sponsor” means any person operating a certified program and in whose name the program is registered.