SB 6: Career and Professional Education Act (CAPE)

• Establishes technical center governing boards comprised of school board members and business leaders to align educational programs with local workforce needs and approve only industry certification courses.

• Requires school districts to make digital materials available to all K-12 students and mandates development of Florida Cyber Security Recognition, Florida Digital Arts Recognition for elementary students, and Florida Digital Tools Certificate for middle school students by December 1, 2013.

• Adds industry certifications as a high school graduation pathway option and allows students to satisfy core curriculum credit requirements through rigorous industry certifications that articulate to college credit.

• Increases funding for industry certification programs from $15 million to $60 million annually and establishes $1,000 performance funding per industry certification earned at Florida College System institutions and school districts.

• Revises middle school career planning course requirements to emphasize entrepreneurship skills and requires adult education students to complete employment-focused activities before program completion to accelerate workforce entry.