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Senate panel hears bill to create "advanced opportunity facilitator" to expand dual credit and work‑based learning
Summary
Senate Bill 278 would let school districts hire a liaison — eligible for quality‑educator payment and fundable with advanced opportunity dollars — to connect students with dual credit, CTE and internships. Proponents cited local gains; members pressed for funding clarity and implementation details.
Senator Sarah Novak introduced Senate Bill 278 on behalf of her district, saying the measure "creates an advanced opportunity facilitator" to help schools expand dual credit, career and technical education (CTE) and work‑based learning by serving as a liaison to employers, higher education and workforce partners. Novak told the Senate Education Committee the role could be funded with existing advanced opportunity aid and be eligible for quality educator payment as an incentive.
Supporters described tangible results where districts already use advanced opportunity funds. Dan Rispens, superintendent of East Helena Public Schools, said his district used advanced opportunity funds to help students earn dual credit and credentials: "In the two full school years prior to this year, students at East Helena High School earned 618 college credits" and about 200 students took AP courses, yielding an estimated $180,000 in…
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