Senate Bill No. by Senator Edmonds aims to enhance vocational and technical education in Louisiana by facilitating the establishment of charter schools that specialize in these areas. The bill amends existing laws to allow for the creation of Type 2 charter schools focused on vocational and technical education, provided that the proposal is supported by a resolution from the Louisiana Board of Commerce and Industry. This resolution must identify the economic sector in need of such education and specify the types of training required. Additionally, the bill allows traditional public schools and existing charter schools to partner with these vocational charter schools to offer necessary courses, ensuring that students have access to vocational education even if their home school does not provide it.

The legislation also introduces provisions for enrollment preferences, allowing students whose parents or guardians work or reside within the designated economic sector to have priority. Furthermore, it establishes guidelines for the governance of these charter schools, including the possibility of including industry representatives on the governing board. The bill emphasizes the importance of aligning educational programs with high-demand, high-wage jobs, referred to as "STAR jobs," as identified by the Louisiana Works Commission. The proposed changes are set to take effect on August 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
SB95 Original: 17:4(B), 17:3983(A)(2)