BILL NUMBER: AB 597 CHAPTERED 10/12/07 CHAPTER 529 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE OCTOBER 12, 2007 APPROVED BY GOVERNOR OCTOBER 12, 2007 PASSED THE SENATE SEPTEMBER 4, 2007 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 20, 2007 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 19, 2007 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 27, 2007 INTRODUCED BY Committee on Education (Mullin (Chair), Garrick, Brownley, Coto, Hancock, Karnette, Nakanishi, Huff, Solorio, Eng) FEBRUARY 21, 2007 An act to add Section 52499.66 to the Education Code, relating to career technical education. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 597, Committee on Education. Career technical education: Web site pages. Existing law provides for the establishment of various programs for career technical education in the public schools, including regional occupational centers and programs. The State Department of Education has career technical education staff responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of a basic integrated statewide information system for career technical education and technical training. Existing law requires the governing board of each school district participating in a career technical education program to appoint a career technical education advisory committee to develop recommendations on the program and to provide a liaison between the district and potential employers. This bill would make the State Department of Education responsible for the creation of comprehensive, easy to access, user-friendly Web site pages with specified information about opportunities and programs available in the state on career technical education in elementary and secondary schools. The department would be required to select by July 1, 2008, and on a competitive basis, an elementary or secondary school career technical education program for pupils to develop the Web site pages as part of a career technical education course of study related to technology and Web site development. The department would be required to establish criteria and parameters for the content of the Web site pages and periodically review the work of the design process to ensure that all the criteria and legal considerations are met. These Web site pages would be required to be incorporated into the department's Web site by January 1, 2010. The department would be required to establish criteria for the posting of information and links on the Web site and provide ongoing Web site administration and maintenance. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 52499.66 is added to the Education Code, to read: 52499.66. (a) The department shall be responsible for the creation, as set forth in subdivision (b), of comprehensive, easy to access, user-friendly Web site pages with information about opportunities and programs available in the state on career technical education in elementary and secondary schools. (b) (1) By July 1, 2008, the department shall select, on a competitive basis, an elementary or secondary school career technical education program for pupils to develop the Web site pages as a part of a career technical education course of study related to technology and Web site development. The program may be part of a school district or regional occupational center or program course of study. (2) The department shall establish criteria and parameters for the content of the Web site pages and shall provide guidance to the selected career technical education design process. The department periodically shall review the work of the design process to ensure that all the criteria and legal considerations are being met. By July 1, 2009, the selected program shall complete the Web site pages development project. (3) By January 1, 2010, the Web site pages on career technical education required to be created pursuant to this section shall be incorporated into the department's Web site as an integral part of the existing department Web site. (4) The department shall establish criteria for the posting of information and links on the Web site and shall provide ongoing Web site administration and maintenance in keeping with department policies. The department Web site may provide links to local and state public agencies, school districts, regional occupational centers and programs, adult education programs, and related career technical education programs in order for pupils, parents, teachers, and the public to easily access information. (c) The career technical education Web site pages created pursuant to this section should provide pupils, parents, guardians, teachers, counselors, administrators, business and industry, and professional and trades representatives with information regarding all of the following: (1) Career technical education programs, possible course offerings, and graduation requirements. (2) High school career technical education skill certificates and related postsecondary education, skill certificates, and apprenticeship requirements and admissions information. (3) Best practices in elementary and secondary school career technical education programs and examples of successful curriculum and programs, including career technical programs in high schools and regional occupational centers and programs. (4) State and federal workforce statistical data and how-to-use data tips for educators and advisory committees on career technical education. (5) Access to information regarding business and industry programs that may offer pupils and teachers support and internships or summer work experience. (6) Professional and trades organizations that may be available to offer pupils and teachers support and internships or summer work experience. (7) Links to related resources. (8) Career technical education model curriculum standards to assist local educational agencies in the development of sequences of courses, skills certificates, and assessment tools. (9) Funding sources and ongoing state and federal program guidelines, regulations, and funding opportunities. (d) The career technical education Web site pages created pursuant to this section shall allow for redirection to school district and public career technical education program Web sites for more specific information about the availability of elementary and secondary school programs for pupils and teachers and to community college and other postsecondary opportunities.