HB 2826-S - DIGEST
(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 2ND SUB)

Seeks to increase the quality and rigor of secondary career and technical education, improve links to postsecondary education, encourage and facilitate academic instruction through career and technical courses, and expand access to and awareness of the opportunities offered by high quality career and technical education.

Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction to develop a schedule for career and technical education plan reapproval that includes an abbreviated review process for programs reapproved after 2005, but before the effective date of this act.

Requires the development of a list of statewide high-demand programs for secondary career and technical education.

Requires community and technical colleges to create agreements with high schools and skill centers to offer dual high school and college credit for secondary career and technical courses.

Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction to provide professional development, technical assistance, and guidance for school districts to develop career and technical course equivalencies that also qualify as advanced placement courses.

Creates, subject to funds appropriated for this purpose, the secondary integrated basic education and skills training (I-BEST) pilot project to integrate career and technical instruction, core academic and basic skills, and English as a second language, for secondary school students with the objective to determine whether and how a successful community and technical college instructional model can be adapted and implemented at a secondary school level.

Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction to develop and conduct an ongoing campaign for career and technical education to increase awareness among teachers, counselors, students, parents, principals, school administrators, and the general public about the opportunities offered by rigorous career and technical education programs.

Creates, subject to funds appropriated for this purpose, the in-demand scholars program to replicate a successful pilot program to attract high school students into high-demand fields that require one to three years of postsecondary education, including apprenticeships.