HB4709 H ED AM
Miller 3915
The Committee on Education moved to amend the bill on page 1, after the enacting section, by striking out the remainder of the bill and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
As used in this article, unless used in a context that clearly requires a different meaning the term:
"Career skills instruction" means instruction on skill sets required to discover and take advantage of employment opportunities, including, but not limited to: performing a job search; developing a résumé; preparing for a job interview; and developing and deploying personal networks to find job opportunities.
"Elective Course" means a one semester course in which a student may choose to enroll.
"Guest Speakers" mean individuals who are not employed by the middle school who the qualified instructor chooses to assist in meeting the pilot program objectives.
"Qualified instructor" means teachers and other middle school staff possessing a post-secondary degree. Additional certification or licensure are not required to instruct the course.
"Participating middle school" means any school containing the fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth grade that chooses to participate with the requirements of the pilot program.
"Local Partners" means high schools, vocational schools, community and technical colleges, public universities, and any other state institutions of higher education that choose to provide speakers to participating middle schools upon the middle school’s request.
"On-Site Research" means on-site presentations and experiential learning at local employer job sites, job fairs, high schools, vocational schools, community and technical colleges, public and private universities, and other post-secondary academic institutions that introduce students to potential career paths.
"Personal Graduation Plan" means a student's formal written plan to become employable following high school.
(a) A four-year pilot program is hereby established to provide participating middle schools with an elective course to better prepare fifth through eighth grade students to take advantage of West Virginia's career and technical education programs and to improve students' college and career readiness prior to high school.
(b) Funding. -- A middle school’s participation in the pilot program is contingent upon the availability of existing funding.
§18-21A-3. Rulemaking; reporting.
(a) The state board shall promulgate a legislative rule, and, if necessary, an emergency rule, pursuant to §29A-3B-1, et seq. to implement the provisions of this article. Those provisions shall include, at a minimum:
(1) Guidelines for admission to the pilot program;
(2) Administration of the program which includes parameters that include the definitions contained in §18-21A-1 of this code; and
(3) Requirement that program participants receive a certificate upon successful completion of the pilot program.
(b) By July 1, 2025, and annually thereafter for the duration of the pilot program, the state superintendent shall to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability on:
(1) The number of students participating;
(2) The graduation rates of participating students;
(3) To the extent practicable, the job placement rates of participant students,
(4) Any issues with the program reported by students, parents, and participating middle schools; how these issues are being address; and whether the issues require legislative action; and
(5) A recommendation from the state superintendent on whether the program should continue beyond its four-year period.
Adopted
Rejected