SB 770 – Relating to Education

On Wednesday, April 10, SB 770 by Senator Travis Hutson (R-Palm Coast) was heard in the Senate Innovation, Industry, and Technology Committee and was reported favorably with 9 yeas and 0 nays. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in support of this legislation.

This bill promotes career education and readiness opportunities for students in public schools by creating an alternative pathway, namely the career and technical education (CTE) graduation pathway option, for students to earn a standard high school diploma, and specifies related requirements. Specifically, the bill:

• Requires students to successfully complete at least 18 credits to receive a standard high school diploma under the CTE graduation pathway option;
• Modifies the 24-credit pathway for earning a standard high school diploma by revising computer science credit substitution for mathematics or science credits;
• Revises the acceleration mechanism component for the school grade calculation for high schools by specifying that dual enrollment courses include career clock-hour dual enrollment courses;
• Creates the Florida Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant Program to enable high school and Florida College System institutions to offer applied learning opportunities for students in high-demand career pathways linked to occupations that will provide students with mid-level and high-level wages;
• Requires district school boards to declare a “College and Career Decision Day” to recognize high school seniors and encourage them to prepare for college and pursue advanced career pathways.

SB 770 will now move to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

AIF supports efforts to grow the talent pipeline to maintain the competitive edge Florida businesses have come to expect in the state.