ACT ASSESSMENT:

This act provides students the opportunity to choose between the ACT WorkKeys assessment or ACT assessment, including ACT Plus Writing, in any school year in which the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education directs a state-funded census administration of the ACT assessment, or in which a school district directs the administration of the ACT assessment. (Section 160.572)

This provision is identical to a provision contained in the truly agreed SS/HCS/HB 1606 (2018), the truly agreed CCS/HCS/SB 743 (2018), and HB 1677 (2018) and similar to SB 696 (2018), HCB 4 (2017), and HB 94 (2017).

CAREER READINESS COURSE TASK FORCE:

This act establishes a Career Readiness Course Task Force to explore the possibility of a course for 8th and 9th grade students covering topics related to various career and educational opportunities. The Task Force shall be composed of members as set forth in the actt and shall serve without compensation. The Task Force shall consider a course that contains certain components, as described in the act.

Before December 1, 2019, the Task Force shall present its findings and recommendations to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Joint Committee on Education, and the State Board of Education. Upon presenting such findings and recommendations the Task Force shall dissolve. (Section 167.910)

This provision is identical to HCS/HB 1245 (2018) and to provisions in the truly agreed HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 894 & 921 (2018), and is similar to SCS/SB 873 (2018) and to provisions contained in the truly agreed SS/HCS/HB 1606 (2018).

TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: This act also allows a teacher to count hours spent in a local business externship as contact hours of professional development. (Section 168.024)

This provision is identical to a provision contained in the truly agreed SS/HCS/HB 1606 (2018), the truly agreed CCS/HCS/SB 743 (2018), and HCB 4 (2017).

CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION:

This act allows a school district to rely on technical coursework and skills assessments developed for industry-recognized certificates and credentials when entering into partnerships with various entities to develop and implement pathways for students to utilize career and technical education programs.

This act requires the Career and Technical Education Advisory Council to annually review, update, approve, and recommend a list of industry certifications, state-issued professional licenses, and occupational competency assessments. A school district may use the list as a resource in establishing programs of study that meet their regional workforce needs.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall identify providers of courses that meet criteria as set forth in the act. The Department shall annually provide to the Council a list of such providers. The Council may recommend that the Department enter into agreements with such providers that will govern the conditions under which school districts and local educational agencies contract with course providers to design or deliver career and technical education programs.

The act also modifies the composition of the Career and Technical Education Advisory Council by adding the Director of the Department of Economic Development, or his or her designee. (Sections 162.1115, 170.028, & 178.550)

These provisions are identical to SCS/HB 1660 (2018) and to provisions contained in the truly agreed HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 894 & 921 (2018) and similar to SB 696 (2018), HB 188 (2017) and to provisions contained in HCB 4 (2017), SCS/SBs 44 & 63 (2017), HB 94 (2017), SCS/HCS/HB 253 (2017), HCS/SCS/SBs 300 & 306 (2018), SS#2/SCS/SB 313 (2017), and HCS/SB 434 (2017).

SHELTERED WORKSHOPS:

The act provides that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall pay monthly, out of appropriated funds for that purpose, to each sheltered workshop a sum determined by specified criteria, but no less than $21 per day for each handicapped employee. (Section 178.931)

The act also repeals provisions of law relating to the computation of state aid to sheltered workshops. (Section 178.930)

These provisions are identical to provisions contained in the truly agreed CCS/HCS/SB 743 (2018) and HB 2644 (2018).

These provisions contain an emergency clause.

MISSOURI WORKS PROGRAMS:

The Missouri Works Training Program is currently set to expire on July 1, 2019. This act reauthorizes the program until August 28, 2030. (Section 620.809)

The Missouri Works Program is currently set to expire on August 28, 2019. This act reauthorizes the program until August 28, 2030. (Section 620.2020)

These provisions are identical to SS/SCS/SB 549 (2018).

JAMIE ANDREWS