SB1392: Standards of Achievement Career and Technical Education Committee; established, report.

SENATE BILL NO. 1392

Offered January 9, 2019
Prefiled January 8, 2019
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 13.2 of Title 22.1 a section numbered 22.1-253.13:11, relating to the Standards of Achievement Career and Technical Education Committee; established.
Patron-- Wagner

Referred to Committee on Education and Health

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 13.2 of Title 22.1 a section numbered 22.1-253.13:11 as follows:

§ 22.1-253.13:11. Standards of Achievement Career and Technical Education Committee.

A. The Board of Education shall establish the Standards of Achievement Career and Technical Education Committee (Committee) to make recommendations to the General Assembly and the Board of Education (Board) to facilitate the development of the Standards of Achievement in order to transform the high school experience. The Standards of Achievement shall provide a framework for high schools, joint or regional high schools, or programs within high schools to reduce workforce skill shortages and enhance economic growth by ensuring that students in the Commonwealth have access to a high-quality, globally competitive career and technical education by providing students with a relevant, engaging learning path. The Standards of Achievement shall include accreditation standards, assessment testing, and course content and curriculum for participating schools. Such Standards of Achievement shall include a comprehensive career pathway system that is designed to meet existing and emerging workforce needs in the Commonwealth.

B. The Committee shall consist of (i) four members of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; (ii) three members of the Senate, appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules on the recommendation of the Chair of the Senate Committee on Education and Health; (iii) the Governor's chief workforce advisor; (iv) representatives of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, the Virginia Community College System, and the Virginia Board of Workforce Development; the Virginia Education Association, Virginia School Boards Association, Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals, and Virginia Association of School Superintendents; and business and industry, appointed by the Board; and (v) other nonlegislative citizen members, appointed by the Board, as the Board deems appropriate. Members of the Committee should reflect industry and geographic diversity and rural and urban communities as far as practicable. The Superintendent of Public Instruction, the president of the Board of Education or his designee, and the Secretary of Education or his designee shall serve ex officio.

C. In developing its recommendations, the Committee shall focus on (i) rigorous standards and course content and curriculum that align workforce skills with industry-recognized standards; (ii) robust business and industry engagement and responsiveness to labor market needs; (iii) strategies to remove the stigma from career and technical education, including early exposure to career options and life skills; (iv) work-based learning and apprenticeships; (v) innovative high school models; and (vi) leveraging existing resources and programs in the Commonwealth. The Committee shall identify any necessary changes to statutory and regulatory provisions, including existing requirements regarding (a) instructional programs; (b) instructional, administrative, and, support personnel; (c) accreditation; (d) assessments; (e) graduation requirements; (f) teacher licensure; and (g) dual enrollment.

D. The Committee shall report its initial findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and the Board of Education by November 1, 2019.