S-2065

AN ACT Relating to career and technical education; adding a new section to chapter 28C.04 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that Washington requires strong career and technical education programs to meet the academic and career preparation needs of secondary students. The legislature further finds that career and technical education programs, including the vocational skills centers, provide:

(a) Support for achievement of the certificate of mastery, particularly by students requiring applied learning opportunities for academic success;

(b) Opportunities for secondary students to certify competency in the entry-level skills of current occupations;

(c) Support for special needs students to fulfill the occupational preparation required for self-sufficiency in adult life;

(d) Increases in the number of students who complete high school; and

(e) Assistance with students' transitions from secondary schools to postsecondary education, training, and employment.

(2) In order to provide students with a variety of learning experiences that will assist them in achieving the higher standards of education reform, school districts currently offering career and technical education programs shall continue to provide career and technical education programs and school districts not offering career and technical education programs are encouraged to begin providing such programs.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28C.04 RCW to read as follows:

(1) To ensure high quality career and technical programs, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall review and approve the plans of local districts for the delivery of career and technical education. Standards for career and technical programs shall be established by the office of the superintendent of public instruction. These standards should:

(a) Demonstrate how career and technical education programs will ensure academic rigor; align with the state's education reform requirements; ensure preparation for industry-defined skill standards or certifications, or both; help address the skills gap of Washington's economy; and maintain strong industry connections for the design and delivery of career and technical education;

(b) Demonstrate how secondary career and technical education programs will align with the work force development councils of Washington state, particularly regarding (i) the provision of services out-of-school; (ii) the retention of at-risk youth; and (iii) connection to and use of the labor market information system of the work source system; and

(c) Demonstrate a strategy to align the five-year planning requirement under the federal Carl Perkins act with the state and district vocational program planning requirements that include:

(i) An assessment of equipment and technology needs to support the skills training of technical students;

(ii) An assessment of industry internships required for teachers to ensure the ability to prepare students for industry-defined standards or certifications, or both;

(iii) An assessment of the costs of supporting job shadows, mentors, community service and industry internships, and other activities for student learning in the community. A formula for the calculation of the full-time equivalent value of these activities shall be included in the new program standards; and

(iv) A description of the leadership activities to be provided for technical education students.

(2) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall recommend a system of funding the implementation of the standards in this section, including regular equipment and technology investments.

(3) To ensure high quality career education programs and services in secondary schools, the office of the superintendent of public instruction may provide technical assistance to local districts and develop state guidelines for the delivery of career guidance in secondary schools.

(4) To ensure leadership development, the staff of the office of the superintendent of public instruction may serve as the state advisors to Washington state FFA, Washington future business leaders of America, Washington DECA, Washington SkillsUSA-VICA, Washington family, career and community leaders, and Washington technology students association, and any additional career or technical student organizations that are formed. Working with the directors or executive secretaries of these organizations, the office of the superintendent of public instruction may develop tools for the coordination of leadership activities with the curriculum of technical education programs.

(5) As used in this section, "career and technical education" means planned programs of courses and learning experiences that begin with exploration of career options, support the achievement of the state's academic standards, promote leadership development, and offer specific preparation in industry-defined skills and for advanced and continuing education.