SB 628

Abstract

Public School Trades Incentive Fund and Program;established. Establishes the Public School Trades Incentive Fund(the Fund) and the Public School Trades Incentive Program (the Program)for the purpose of providing grants on a competitive basis from theFund to any school board that seeks to (i) restore high school programsthat teach students skilled trades that lead to earning industry-recognizedcertifications or credentials or (ii) create or restore middle schoolprograms that encourage and recruit students to participate in highschool programs that teach students skilled trades that lead to earningindustry-recognized certifications or credentials. The bill requiresthe Department of Education to administer the Program and to establish such rules and procedures relating to applications and awards asit deems appropriate, provided that the Department considers andgives appropriate weight to certain criteria for grantees. The billpermits any grantee to use Program funds for equipment, curriculumdevelopment, or instructor training. The bill requires each granteeto longitudinally track students who complete any program for whichthe school board received funds in order to determine the effectivenessof the (a) new or restored middle school programs in recruiting studentsto participate in restored high school programs and (b) restored high school programs in matching students with high-paying jobs in thefields in which they are certified or credentialed.