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Committee spotlights CTE access, industry credentials and credit requirements in ED 306 review
Summary
Lawmakers asked the department about cooperative agreements, space and transportation constraints that limit CTE access, discussed industry‑recognized credentials and debated math credit totals; officials said HB 12 added $4 million for tuition/transportation and the department vets industry credentials where national credentials do not exist.
Committee members used the ED 306 review to press the Department of Education on access to Career and Technical Education (CTE) and on graduation‑credit guidance.
Representative Rick Ladd noted regional CTE centers face calendar, space and sending‑district budget constraints and said the state’s CTE participation rate is low. "We passed in HB 12 an additional $4,000,000 for tuition and transportation," he said, and the department reported about $600,000 of that funding has been applied for to date. Ladd said scheduling and cost barriers contribute to roughly 17% participation and urged steps to expand access.
Department staff explained cooperative agreements and pointed to ED 130402 rules that address regional career agreements. On credentials, the department described industry advisory councils that vet program competencies and said where a national industry credential does not exist the department can work with employers to create a vetted, portable credential students can use in the job market.
Other curricular items drew brief discussion. Committee members asked whether K–8 world language offerings are required; staff said they are optional and that if a school offers K–8 world language it should adopt a policy describing the program. The committee also discussed graduation math credits: the board initially proposed 3.5 credits (including a half credit in statistics) but, after public input, reduced the table to 3 credits; legislators noted concerns about postsecondary readiness and suggested further review.
No formal votes were recorded; members asked the department to continue clarifying implementation guidance and to provide follow‑up information about CTE participation and use of the HB 12 funds.
