FL H0071

Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, in conjunction with the Department of Education, shall conduct a study on creating a 4-year high school graduation option focused on career-technical education with less rigorous graduation requirements than current law.

Study must examine feasibility of offering students a distinct career-technical education diploma that provides workforce readiness and requires at minimum one national industry certification from the Industry Certification Funding List.

Study shall analyze required coursework for the career-technical diploma, including the possibility of allowing students to switch between standard and career-technical diploma coursework requirements.

Study must evaluate potential use of career and professional academies, internships, the Florida Ready to Work Certification Program, and other relevant career and technical education programs.

Study results and recommendations must be submitted to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives by December 1, 2012.