SCS/HCS/HB 1612 - This act requires the State Board of Education and Career and Technical Education Advisory Council to establish minimum requirement for a career and technical education certificate (CTE) that a student can earn in addition to their high school diploma. Students entering high school in the 2017-18 school year and thereafter will be eligible for a CTE certificate. Each local school district shall determine the curriculum, programs of study, and course offerings based on the needs and interests of the students in the district, and no later than January 1, 2017, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall develop a process for recognition of a school district's CTE certificate program.
This act also modifies the composition of the Career and Technical Education Advisory Council. Instead of the Governor appointing the Advisory Council's current eleven members, the Commissioner of Education will make these appointments. This act also expands the Advisory Council's membership to include two senators, one from each party, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and two representatives, one from each party, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The four legislative members will serve on the Advisory Council until they resign, are no longer members of the General Assembly, or are replaced by new appointments.
This act is identical to SCS/SBs 620 & 582 (2016) and to provisions contained in HCS/SCS/SB 172 (2015), is substantially similar to HCS/SB 13 (2015), and is similar to HCS/HB 380 (2015) and HB 406 (2015).
JOSHUA NORBERG