Enrolled Bill Summary

            House Bill 1418 amends the Education Code to allow local school boards to develop career and technology education programs, subject to Texas Education Agency review, that allow students to receive job-specific training in certain professions and earn district-issued career and technology certification. The act allows a board to contract with another district, a college or university, a state-approved trade or technical school, a local business, or a local workforce development board in developing these programs or in providing instruction and allows programs developed with help from a local business or workforce development board to focus on local technology workforce needs.

            The act requires the Council on Workforce and Economic Competitiveness, the Texas Education Agency, and the Texas Workforce Commission to study the effectiveness of career and technology education programs in improving students' academic and professional success and to report their findings to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house.