NC H1699

Directs the Education Cabinet to prioritize increasing the number of students earning postsecondary credentials in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields to reduce the gap between available jobs and credentialed workers by 2015.

Requires the Education Cabinet to encourage cooperation between secondary schools and higher education institutions to prepare students for STEM postsecondary study and to identify and support efforts that increase completion of STEM certificates and degrees.

Mandates the Education Cabinet to establish measurements for assessing available STEM jobs in the state and the number of students earning STEM credentials across all higher education institutions, including community colleges and public and private universities.

Directs the Education Cabinet to identify and pursue federal, state, local, and private funding sources to support STEM credential goals.

Requires annual reporting by November 1, 2011, to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on activities undertaken and reporting to the JOBS Study Commission on measurements, efforts to reduce the workforce gap, and funding sources.