FL H0487

Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services must annually provide information and industry certifications for farm occupations to the State Board of Education and Department of Education for placement on industry certification funding lists, based on best available data.

Industry certification is defined as a voluntary assessment process by independent, third-party certifying entities resulting in nationally recognized credentials addressing critical local or statewide economic needs, linked to targeted occupations, or linked to emerging occupations.

State Board of Education shall adopt rules for implementing an industry certification process with separate standards for nonfarm occupations (defined by Department of Economic Opportunity) and farm occupations (demonstrating skill proficiency based on best available data).

Department of Education must collect and analyze student achievement data in industry-certified career education programs, examining graduation rates, retention rates, employment records, earnings, and employer satisfaction, with results reported annually to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House by December 31.

Act takes effect July 1, 2014.