HJ675: DOE; experiential learning and workforce development opportunities in high-demand fields, report.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 675

Offered January 9, 2019
Prefiled January 9, 2019
Requesting the Department of Education to study experiential learning and workforce development opportunities for high school students in high-demand fields. Report.
Patron-- Filler-Corn

Committee Referral Pending

WHEREAS, the Department of Education provides guidance and technical assistance and makes recommendations to the Board of Education; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 750 of the Acts of Assembly of 2016, the General Assembly required the Board of Education to develop a Profile of a Virginia Graduate "that identifies the knowledge and skills that students should attain during high school in order to be successful contributors to the economy of the Commonwealth, giving due consideration to critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and citizenship"; and

WHEREAS, it is now imperative for the Department of Education to study and make recommendations to the Board of Education on the critical issue of how experiential learning and workforce development opportunities for high school students in high-demand fields fit into such Profile; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Department of Education be requested to study experiential learning and workforce development opportunities for high school students in high-demand fields.

In conducting its study, the Department of Education shall convene a work group of stakeholders to identify (i) experiential learning and workforce development opportunities for high school students in high-demand fields, especially STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields, that could be incorporated into the public high school experience and into high school graduation requirements and (ii) ways in which such experiential learning and workforce development opportunities can be supported and expanded.

Technical assistance shall be provided to the Department of Education by each school board in the Commonwealth. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Department of Education for this study, upon request.

The Department of Education shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2019, and shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an executive summary and a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports no later than the first day of the 2020 Regular Session of the General Assembly and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.