Bill > S3553

Introduced Session

This bill directs the Commissioner of Education to establish a three-year Skilled Trades Career Exploration Pilot Program to develop and expand career and technical education programs for high school students in the State. Under the bill, a grant awarded through the pilot program is to be used to support school districts in: (1) developing or expanding career and technical education programs for high school students; (2) acquiring or enhancing program equipment, technologies, or facilities for career and technical education programs; and (3) providing professional development for instructors of career and technical education programs. The bill directs the commissioner to establish selection criteria for the awarding of grants under the program and to select five districts in each of the southern, central, and northern regions of the State to participate in the program. Grants are to be awarded based upon review of the applications and subject to the availability of funds. Grantees are required to submit an annual report to the commissioner on the program's effect. The commissioner is required to annually report to the Governor and the Legislature on the program's effect. The bill appropriates $5,000,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Education for the bill's purposes.

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Linda Greenstein (D)*,  Mike Testa (R)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 09/12/2024)

Official Document