MA S439

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must promote demonstration programs where students split time between comprehensive high schools and vocational-technical schools under Chapter 74, combining required academic classes with vocational courses

State must develop employability credentials for high school graduates covering applied knowledge, effective relationships, and workplace skills based on the federal employability skills framework, with guidance for districts to potentially adopt as graduation requirements

Department must review and reorganize all offices and programs overseeing college and career pathways to improve coordination, giving preference to career-themed proposals aligned with state labor market needs

Study required on barriers to student access to work-based learning, including transportation, employer liability, personnel, scheduling, curriculum, and logistics issues

Reports due to the Joint Committee on Education and Ways and Means committees by July 1, 2026 on implementation actions and recommendations for expanding work-based learning opportunities