AR HB1620

Adds Subchapter 9 to Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 5 establishing college and career readiness standards for career and technical education programs.

Requires all public school students be provided rigorous career and technical education programs that link secondary and postsecondary education, combining academic and technical instruction in structured course sequences.

Mandates the Department of Career Education collaborate with Department of Education and Department of Higher Education to develop program standards addressing academic rigor, professional development, accountability systems, content standards, course sequencing, credit transfer agreements, guidance counseling, and technical skills assessments.

Establishes requirements for technical skills assessments to be third-party industry-recognized or department-approved assessments that measure student proficiency at multiple points and incorporate performance-based components, with successful completion eligible for secondary credit, postsecondary credit, or high school diploma designation.

Requires incorporation of a consistent framework promoting career and technical education sustainability including partnerships with educators and businesses, professional development for administrators and teachers, accountability evaluation systems, and common course numbering between secondary and postsecondary levels.