This bill aims to enhance access to career and technical education (CTE) by mandating that regional CTE agreements (RCTEAs) include provisions for an access program that allows students from sending districts to enroll in non-CTE courses at receiving districts, either part-time or full-time. The bill amends existing law to replace the term "schools" with "districts" in several instances, ensuring that the agreements align the school calendars of sending districts with those of CTE programs to minimize scheduling conflicts. Additionally, it stipulates that students from sending districts will have access to CTE programming on the same basis as resident district pupils, and it encourages alignment of teacher in-service days for joint professional development initiatives.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the tuition structure for part-time and full-time program students, requiring sending districts to pay a percentage of the receiving district's average cost per pupil. It also allows students attending non-public or charter schools to enroll in the regional CTE center that is closer to their school. The state is tasked with providing funding for students qualified to attend receiving schools under the new access program. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and its fiscal impact is currently indeterminable due to various unknown factors, such as tuition rates and transportation costs.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 188-E:1-a, 188-E:1-, 188-E:6, 188-E:7
As Amended by the Senate: 188-E:1-a, 188-E:1-, 188-E:6, 188-E:7