AL HB373

Establishes the Alabama Workforce Pathways Act to create an alternative diploma pathway for high school students planning to enter the workforce immediately after graduation.

Requires the State Board of Education to establish a Workforce Pathways diploma and the State Department of Education to develop curriculum within 120 days of approval.

Students enrolling in the Workforce Pathways pathway must complete only 2 math credits and 2 science credits instead of the standard 4 math and 4 science credits, with the difference fulfilled through career and technical education courses.

Authorizes the State Board of Education to seek additional legislative funding to construct, retrofit, or upgrade career and technical education centers throughout the state, with larger school systems potentially having their own centers and smaller systems sharing facilities.

Authorizes the Legislature to provide additional funding for the Alabama Short-Term Credential Program to offer scholarships for for-credit and non-credit courses through the Alabama Community College System for in-demand regional careers.

Becomes effective October 1, 2024.