Bill > S332

This bill aims to expand student access to career technical education by making several key changes to existing Massachusetts education laws. First, it allows a city or town to simultaneously be a member of both a vocational regional school district and another type of regional school district. Additionally, the bill permits municipalities to offer vocational technical education programs in their high schools, provided these programs are approved under Chapter 74 of the General Laws and meet local labor market needs as determined by Regional Workforce Boards. The legislation also modifies regulations to allow the approval of new vocational programs even if they duplicate existing programs, but only when there is a demonstrated labor market need and insufficient capacity in current programs. Furthermore, the bill requires the Commissioner of Education to provide technical support to high schools developing Chapter 74 programs that meet regional labor market demands and to support demonstration programs that offer vocational-technical education opportunities to students who cannot secure spots in existing approved programs. These provisions are designed to increase flexible, responsive career and technical education options for students across Massachusetts.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S332