Establishes a career and technical high school diploma for students completing a course of study for a career or trade

BILL NUMBER:S2694

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to establishing a career and technical education diploma

Purpose

To create an alternative pathway to graduation for students seeking a career technical education (CTE)

Summary of provisions

Section 1 amends the education law by adding a new section 817 that provides to all students a CTE pathway diploma, which will result in either a regents or local diploma and differ from the traditional requirements for a regents or local diploma with respect to required assessments. This section further provides for a curriculum based on training designed to provide students with career, trade, and technical skills. This curriculum will be administered by a business practicing a particular trade or career, a board of cooperative education, or by an institution of higher education. The curriculum will include, but not be limited to, completion of work-based learning experiences, and completion of a work-skills employment profile. CTE will include, but not be limited to, the following career fields: agriculture education, business and marketing education, family and consumer sciences education, health occupations education, technical education, technology education, and trade industrial education.

Lastly, the Regents in consultation with trade and professional organizations, shall promulgate regulations necessary to establish the curriculum, assessments, and any other criteria that students must achieve to earn a regents or local diploma via CTE pathway.

Section 2 is the enacting clause.

Justification

Students in New York, regardless of their inclination in life, only have one path to graduation through the regents with an education that is geared towards achieving college readiness. Recently, with the implementation of the Common Core Standards, the college ready agenda is being demanded heavily upon all students, while at the same time stressing increased test scores and graduation rates. New York's current education system is ignoring a part of the student population that is inclined to other types of education and learning experiences. Regardless of how effective our college ready education system is, in many instances it does not take into consideration the needs of those students who chose another path, such as students interested in a trade. Many of our children excel in these types of skills but are denied this path to a diploma.

Fiscal implications

Undetermined

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately; provided that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the timely implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.