FL S1588

Creates the Florida Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant Program within the Department of Education to provide grants for high schools, charter schools, and Florida College System institutions offering career pathway education in high-demand fields.

Requires grant recipients to provide students with opportunities to earn industry certifications, 60 college credit hours, or associate degrees, along with work-based learning experiences through internships, externships, apprenticeships, or job training programs at no cost to students.

Mandates competitive grant funding with priority given to proposals serving underrepresented students including minorities, low-income students, rural students, and girls in computer science courses.

Requires the Commissioner of Education to submit annual reports by December 1 to the Governor and Legislature detailing student outcomes including academic achievement, certifications earned, employment results, and postsecondary enrollment.

Allows students to substitute one computer science credit for one science credit toward high school diploma requirements, with the exception of Biology I.