More than 100 Kansas school districts have been rewarded for their efforts to get more students certified in technical education specialties.

Gov. Sam Brownback presented checks totaling $703,000 to 111 school districts on Tuesday for helping high school students improve their skills.

The state awards districts $1,000 for each student who completes a technical education program and earns certification through a state vocational or technical college. The funds are part of a program the state launched in 2012 to increase the number of certified technicians to meet industry demands.

Brownback’s office estimates that 5,800 high school juniors and seniors enrolled in technical education programs during the last school year, with 703 students earning certification.