Establishes a career and technical education (CTE) diploma

1.a. A career and technical education (CTE) pathway to a diploma is hereby established. A CTE pathway to a diploma, if made available by a school district shall:

(i) result in a regents or local diploma;

(ii) differ from the traditional requirements to a regents or local diploma with respect to required assessments, except as otherwise required by federal law;

(iii) be made available to all students, including, but not limited to students with disabilities and English language learners.

b. A CTE pathway to a diploma shall be based on a course of study designed to provide students with technical knowledge and skills and shall demonstrate that the student is ready for a career as determined by regulations of the commissioner. A CTE pathway to a diploma shall include, but not be limited to:

(i) completion of a CTE sequence;

(ii) completion of a three-part technical assessment;

(iii) completion of work-based learning experiences as provided by the approved program; and,

(iv) completion of a work-skills employability profile.

c. For purposes of this section, a career and technical education shall include, but are not limited to, a course of study in the following career fields: agriculture education, business and marketing education, family and consumer sciences education, health occupations education, technical education, technology education, and trade and industrial education.

2. The board of regents shall promulgate such regulations of the commissioner as may be necessary to establish the curriculum, assessments and any other criteria that students must achieve to earn a regents or local diploma via a CTE pathway.

3. Students first entering ninth grade in the two thousand fifteen-two thousand sixteen school year and thereafter shall be eligible to earn a diploma via a CTE pathway if made available by a school district.

Justification

Today's manufacturing and technical jobs often require special skill sets and can offer above average salaries and benefits; however, a shortage of skilled applicants in technical and manufacturing applications is becoming a burden to New York State business owners. The creation of a specialized technical education pathway will chart a new alternative pathway to high-school graduation. Creating a CTE pathway to graduation would encourage students in welding, culinary, green energy, health services, mechanical technology, computer systems and networking and other technical education programs to advance to a two-year institution or a certificate based program - decreasing overall dropout rates and closing New York State's middle skills job gap. A CTE diploma pathway will also teach the skills students need to attain jobs in a variety of industries, including high-tech manufacturing, nanotechnology, cybersecurity, biosciences and more.

Legislative history

S.5966C

Fiscal implications

None

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.