The bill proposes the repeal of section 170.029 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri and enacts a new section that focuses on enhancing career and technical education (CTE) in the state. The new section mandates the state board of education to develop a comprehensive statewide plan for CTE that aligns educational resources with workforce needs. It establishes minimum requirements for a CTE certificate that students can earn alongside their high school diploma, starting with students entering high school in the 2017-18 school year. The plan aims to equip students with essential technical skills for entry-level careers or further training in technical fields, while ensuring that tracking of students into specific vocational paths does not occur. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create performance standards, course competencies, and a written model curriculum framework specifically related to insurance licensing and certification for all CTE programs. This framework is to be developed in consultation with relevant departments and made available for use in the 2027-28 school year, with all CTE programs required to adopt it or a similar curriculum by the 2028-29 school year. The bill emphasizes collaboration between the state board and local school districts to ensure that CTE offerings are relevant and economically feasible for students.

Statutes affected:
Introduced (5821H.01): 170.029