Career and Technical Education (CTE) is uniquely situated to support students’ learning and growth while providing them with the training they need to enter the workforce. State policy should enable students interested in CTE to pursue these programs without unnecessary delays or barriers. 
 
Regardless of when a student completes the relevant coursework, regulations currently require students to wait until their senior year to take the end of program assessment (NOCTI exam). This outdated requirement prevents students from taking the end of program assessment when coursework is fresh and they are most prepared. 
 
According to the LBFC report drafting in accordance with HR 481 (23-24), there has been a 150.6% increase in the number of students on waitlist to enter CTE programs since 2019-2020. We should not be denying students access to opportunities that allow them to shape their own future. 
 
While certainly not the only solution to our growing waitlists, removing this requirement will help to alleviate them. By allowing students to complete their coursework and take the NOCTI earlier, they can pursue other academic interests such as work based learning or acquiring additional credentials. As students complete programs earlier, their ‘seat’ becomes available to incoming students interested in participating in CTE. 
 
Please join me in supporting this legislation that provides additional flexibility to our students, schools, and educators by waiving this outdated and unnecessary requirement.