What's happening
This bill establishes a new career and technical education (CTE) pathway to a high school diploma in New York.
Why it matters
Expands access to high school diplomas. by allowing students to choose a pathway focused on career and technical education, making graduation more attainable for those whose strengths and interests are in practical, hands-on fields rather than traditional academic tracks.
Addresses workforce readiness. by requiring CTE students to complete a technical course of study, a three-part assessment, work-based learning experiences, and a work-skills employability profile, thereby ensuring graduates have job-ready skills and experience.
Promotes inclusivity. by mandating that the CTE pathway must be available to all students—including those with disabilities and English language learners—potentially reducing educational barriers for historically underserved groups.
Empowers local school districts and communities. to design and offer CTE diploma options tailored to local industry needs, which could help align educational outcomes with regional economic development and labor market demands.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Create Career-Focused Diploma Option
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Create Vocational Diploma Option
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Marianne Buttenschon
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5553
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 6, 2019
Introduced by Sen. MAY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to establishing a career and technical education diploma
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 817 to read as follows:
§ 817. Career and technical education pathway to a high school diploma. 1. a. A career and technical education (CTE) pathway to a high school 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 course of study;
(ii) completion of a three-part technical assessment;
(iii) completion of work-based learning experiences as provided by the state 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 not be limited to, a course of study in the following career fields: agriculture education, business and marketing education,
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10453-01-9
S. 5553 2
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 nineteen-- two thousand twenty school year and thereafter shall be eligible to earn a diploma via a CTE pathway if made available by a school district.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately. 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.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to establishing a career and technical education diploma
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill would create a Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway to a diploma. The establishment of a CTE pathway would provide a new alter- native to a high school graduation that incorporates career focused education classes and curriculum into school programs thereby producing more highly skilled workers for New York State's technical and manufac- turing industries.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1: adds a new section 817 to the education law that makes avail- able a CTE pathway to a high school diploma, laying out the standards and requirements for such a diploma pathway and making such diploma available to students who are freshmen in the 2019/2020 school year.
Section 2: effective date.
Justification
Today's manufacturing and technical jobs often require special skill sets and can offer above average salaries and benefits; however, a shor- tage 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 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, bios- ciences and more.
Legislative history
2017/2018: A3064 Ref to Education 2015/2016: S623-A REF TO EDUCATION/A2244A Ref to Education 2013/2014: S5966C PASSED SENATE/A8189C Ref to Education
Fiscal implications
To be determined
Effective date
Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.