AL HB278

Home school students may participate in career and technical education (CTE) programs at public schools beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, provided they enroll as nontraditional public school students.

Home school students must pay course fees equal to the amount charged to enrolled public school students and have lower enrollment priority than current public school students if capacity is limited.

The State Board of Education must adopt rules to implement the provision, and each local board of education must adopt a policy reflecting the requirements and state board rules.

Full-time, stand-alone career and technical education schools are not required to allow home school student participation but may voluntarily choose to do so.

Course fees and costs for CTE program participation are considered qualifying educational expenses under the CHOOSE Act, effective August 1, 2024.