FL S0298

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 requirements than current law.

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

Study shall analyze required coursework for the career-technical diploma, including potential to allow students to switch between standard high school diploma and career-technical education diploma requirements.

Study must explore use of career and professional academies, internships, Florida Ready to Work Certification Program, and other career and technical education programs, and identify implementation timeframe if feasible.

Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability shall submit study results and recommendations to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House by December 1, 2012.