MA S458

Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development must annually provide the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education a ranked list of high-demand occupations requiring or benefiting from industry-recognized certifications, with the top 20% designated as "high employment value"

Occupations must lead to wages of at least 70% of the state's average annual wage to be included, unless the certification is stackable toward a higher-level credential meeting that threshold

School districts receive $750 per student earning a high employment value certification or one recognized for college credit, and $600 per student earning a certification addressing regional workforce demands identified by local MassHire Workforce Boards

At least 80% of certification awards must go directly to the school whose students earned the credentials, for program support, instructor stipends, and subsidizing certification fees for low-income students

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must publish an annual report on student participation (including demographics for low-income, ELL, and SPED students), certifications earned, and funding adequacy