MO HB380

State Board of Education must establish minimum requirements for a career and technical education (CTE) certificate that students can earn in addition to their high school diploma, with eligibility beginning for students entering high school in 2016-2017.

CTE requirements must provide students with technical employability skills for entry-level careers or additional training in technical fields, with explicit prohibition against using the program to track students into particular vocational or college paths.

Local school districts retain authority to determine curriculum, programs of study, and course offerings based on student needs, and may rely on industry-recognized certificate standards when establishing CTE offerings.

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must develop a recognition process for school district CTE programs by January 1, 2016.

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must promulgate rules for administration, subject to General Assembly review under chapter 536.