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House approves bill to mandate 12th‑grade curriculum for occupational high schools amid debate over hearings and costs
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Summary
The House approved House Bill 31 on May 12, 2025, directing the Department of Education to design a full 12th‑grade curriculum for occupational high schools. Critics said no public hearing was held and warned of budget and scheduling impacts; supporters argued the measure advances workforce readiness.
The Puerto Rico House of Representatives approved House Bill 31 on May 12, 2025, directing the Department of Education to design and implement a full 12th‑grade curriculum for occupational high schools. The measure passed the final vote 38‑13.
Supporters said the bill will create uniform 12th‑grade courses for occupational programs; opponents warned it was processed without adequate public hearings and could require more teachers or longer school days. Representative Jorge Figueroa Acevedo objected openly to the process, saying, “Vamos a comenzar diciendo que no se celebró la vista pública para el mismo.”
Why it matters: the bill affects statewide high‑school occupational programs and could change course offerings, teacher staffing and instructional time at affected schools. The Department of Education’s written position, cited by legislators during debate, said a statutory change could disrupt existing specialty program pathways and certification hours.
Debate and details: Representative Figueroa Acevedo told colleagues the department advised against voting the measure as presented because occupational study programs already have prescribed contact hours and certification requirements. He and other critics said the bill’s adoption as presented could force districts to either recruit additional history/social‑studies teachers or eliminate elective courses, or extend the school day from six to seven hours. Supporters, including backers on the floor, argued the bill aligns education with workforce needs and can be implemented by aligning course schedules.
Process: multiple members asked that the proposal be returned to committee for technical fixes; proponents said calendar and amendment procedures permitted its consideration. After floor debate the House voted to approve the bill as amended.
Vote: House Bill 31 — approved 38 yes, 13 no. The bill will next be transmitted to the Senate.
Provenance: discussion began during the reading of the special calendar listing House Bill 31 and continued through floor debate and the final rollcall vote as recorded on May 12, 2025.
