House Bill 1387

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO CREATE THE "COMPREHENSIVE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION REFORM" OR "CCATER" ACT; TO PROVIDE THAT DUAL CREDIT CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTORS SHALL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AND POSSESS A MINIMUM OF FIVE YEARS' EXPERIENCE BUT SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO HOLD AN ASSOCIATE OR BACHELOR'S DEGREE; TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE NOTICE TO ALL INCOMING MIDDLE SCHOOL AND JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS OF THE CAREER TRACK PROGRAMS OFFERED BY LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS; TO REQUIRE ALL STUDENTS IN THE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION TRACK TO TAKE THE ACT WORKKEYS ASSESSMENT; TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL CLASSES THAT MAY BE ADDED TO THE CURRICULUM IN THE CAREER TRACK PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE THAT LOCAL BUSINESS OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO HOLD AN ASSOCIATE OR BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN ORDER TO BE GRANTED A ONE-YEAR EXPERT CITIZEN-TEACHER LICENSE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE ACCREDITATION SYSTEM SHALL INCLUDE STUDENT PERFORMANCE ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE ACT WORKKEYS ASSESSMENT, WHICH SHALL BE WEIGHTED IN THE SAME PERCENTAGE AS THE STANDARD ACT ASSESSMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The provisions of this act shall be known and may be cited as the "Comprehensive Career and Technical Education Reform" or "CCATER" Act.

SECTION 2. (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 37-15-38 or any other provision of law to the contrary, dual credit career and technical education instructors shall be required to hold a high school diploma and possess a minimum of five (5) years' experience but shall not be required to hold an associate or bachelor's degree if he or she is providing instruction in a nondegree certificate or associate degree career and technical education program provided that he or she satisfies all other alternative minimum requirements for such positions as provided in Section 37-15-38.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 37-3-2 or any other provision of law to the contrary, persons provided a one-year expert citizen-teacher license as described in Section 37-3-2(6)(c) shall be required to hold a high school diploma and possess a minimum of five (5) years' experience but shall not be required to hold an associate or bachelor's degree, provided that he or she possesses the minimum qualifications required for his or her profession.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 37-16-17 or any other provision of law to the contrary, the State Board of Education shall provide notice to all incoming middle school students and junior high students of the career track programs offered by local school boards as described in Section 37-16-17. Such notice shall include the career track programs available, the course requirements of each program, how to enroll in the program and any other necessary information as determined by the State Board of Education.

(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 37-16-17, Section 37-16-3 and any other provision of law to the contrary, all students in the career and technical education track as described in Section 37-16-17 shall be required to take the ACT WorkKeys Assessment.

(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 37-16-17 or any other provision of law to the contrary, the courses that are required for students in the career track program as provided in Section 37-16-17 may include the following courses:

(a) Technical writing;

(b) Personal finance, business/construction mathematics and/or computer science; and

These courses may be tailored to the individual needs of the school district, as long as the amendments align with the basic course requirements of this subsection (5).

(6) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 37-16-17 or any other provision of law to the contrary, school districts shall incorporate soft skills in the curriculum provided in Section 37-16-17. Soft skills include, but are not limited to, social graces, communication abilities, language skills, personal habits, cognitive or emotional empathy, time management, teamwork and leadership traits.

(7) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 37-17-6 or any other provision of law to the contrary, the State Board of Education shall revise the accreditation system to include student performance on the administration of the ACT WorkKeys Assessment, which shall be weighted in the same percentage as the standard ACT Assessment as administered to students in Grade 11, for inclusion in the college and career readiness portion of the accountability rating system. To ensure equitable distribution of points under the accountability rating, in comparison to the ACT assessment, a Silver Status on the ACT WorkKeys Assessment shall be equivalent to an ACT composite score of 22 to 25.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2020.