This bill amends sections of the Florida Statutes related to career-themed courses and the school grading system. It requires school districts to offer at least four career-themed courses, an increase from the previous requirement of two. Additionally, at least one of these courses must align with a regional demand occupation field as identified by CareerSource Florida, Inc., and must fall within specific areas such as agriculture, construction, early childhood education, health care, or hospitality. The bill also emphasizes the importance of providing opportunities for students to earn postsecondary credit for these courses.

Furthermore, the bill revises the components used to determine school grades under section 1008.34. It changes the calculation of school grades by adjusting the weight of certain components, including the percentage of students earning national industry certifications, which is now worth 200 points. The bill also specifies that courses totaling 150 or more clock hours do not need to be part of the same program to count towards the certification, and it outlines additional requirements for courses related to targeted occupations. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 1204 Filed: 1003.493, 1008.34