SB 161

Abstract

Board of Education; high school graduation;alternative pathway to advanced studies diploma and associated diplomaseal; career and technical education. Directs the Board of Educationto establish an alternative pathway to the advanced studies highschool diploma and an associated diploma seal for students who successfullyfollow and demonstrate excellence on such pathway, that requires advancedcoursework in a career and technical education field but does notrequire coursework in laboratory science. Under current law, onecomputer science course credit may count as one of the laboratoryscience course credits required for an advanced studies high school diploma but there is no pathway to an advanced studies diploma thatdoes not require any laboratory science coursework. The bill requiressuch pathway and associated diploma seal to become effective forthe 2025-2026 school year and to be available to any student, regardlessof the school year during which the student enters ninth grade.