Bill > S439

This bill aims to enhance career and technical education in Massachusetts by introducing several key provisions. First, it directs the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to support innovative career technical education demonstration programs that allow students to split time between comprehensive high schools and vocational schools, ensuring students can access both academic and vocational courses. The bill also requires the department to develop credentials for high school students in applied knowledge, workplace skills, and effective relationships, based on the federal employability skills framework, which districts may consider as graduation requirements. Additionally, the department must conduct a comprehensive review of its offices and programs related to college and career pathway programs, with the goal of improving coordination and giving preference to career-themed proposals aligned with the state's labor market needs. The bill further mandates a study on barriers to work-based learning opportunities in public schools, examining challenges such as transportation, employer liability, scheduling, and curriculum. Work-based learning is defined as an educational method that allows students to gain real-world career exposure and skills typically difficult to acquire in a classroom. The department is required to report its findings and recommendations to the legislature's education committee and ways and means committees by July 1, 2026, potentially proposing statutory changes to facilitate better coordination of career readiness initiatives.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S439