HI HB244

Establishes a career and technical education working group within the Department of Education to strengthen CTE programs in Hawaii's public schools.

Working group shall propose actions to maintain CTE programs preparing students for current and emerging occupations, evaluate existing programs' effectiveness, and recommend expansion opportunities allowing students to complete up to twelve graduation requirement credits through CTE courses.

Working group shall examine internship and apprenticeship opportunities resulting in professional certification or licensure, assess offering CTE overview courses to ninth graders, analyze teacher certification rates, and evaluate capital improvements needed for expanded CTE access.

Working group shall analyze methods to strengthen CTE teaching workforce including sabbaticals for teacher training, incentives for CTE program graduates to become teachers, and co-teaching arrangements with licensed industry professionals.

Working group shall analyze high-performing CTE programs in Massachusetts and other states and submit findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days before the 2024 regular session; includes appropriation for fiscal year 2023-2024.