SCS/SB 957 - This act modifies provisions relating to workforce development in education. CAREER AND ACADEMIC PLANS OF STUDY & FAFSA (Sections 167.903 & 167.907) Under this act, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall establish a process by which each student prior to 9th grade shall develop an individual career and academic plan of study, with help from the student's parent or guardian and the school's guidance counselors. Before a student finishes 12th grade, the student shall declare the student's postsecondary plans as part of the student's individual career and academic plan. Such declaration shall include items set forth in the act. The act also states that no student shall receive a certificate of graduation from any public school or charter school unless the student has completed and submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. A student is exempt from this requirement under certain circumstances listed in the act. These provisions shall become effective on July 1, 2023. These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/SB 703 (2022), provisions in SCS/HB 2202 (2022), and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2304 (2022). AID FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS (Section 167.908) This act also requires the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development to establish a procedure for providing the means and capability for high school students enrolled in certain career and technical education programs to complete an application for aid through the Employment and Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/SB 703 (2022), provisions in SCS/HB 2202 (2022), and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2304 (2022). WORKFORCE DIPLOMA PROGRAM (Section 173.831) This act establishes the "Workforce Diploma Program" within the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development to assist students in obtaining a high school diploma and in developing employability and career and technical skills. Before August 16, 2023, and annually each year after, the Department shall issue a request for applications for interested program providers to become approved providers to participate in the program. Applications shall furnish evidence that such interested provider meets certain criteria set forth in the act, including having at least two years of experience providing adult dropout recovery services. The Department shall announce approved program providers prior to October 16th each year, and approved program providers shall begin enrolling students before November 15th each year. The Department shall pay approved program providers amounts set forth in the act for the completion of certain milestones by students. However, no program provider shall receive funding for a student if such provider already receives federal or state funding or private tuition for such student. In order to receive payments, program providers shall be required to submit monthly invoices to the Department before the eleventh calendar day of each month for the milestones met by students in the previous month. The Department shall pay approved program providers in the order in which invoices are submitted until all available funds are exhausted. The Department shall also provide a written update to program providers by the last day of each month, which shall include the aggregate total dollars that have been paid to the providers, and the estimated number of enrollments still available for the program year. Prior to July 16th of each year, each provider shall report certain information set forth in the act to the Department, including the total number of students who have been funded through the program, the total number of credits earned, the total number of employability skills certifications issued, the total number of industry-recognized credentials earned, and the total number of graduates. The Department shall review data from each approved program provider, at the end of the second fiscal year of the program, to ensure that each provider is achieving minimum program performance standards. Any provider failing to meet such standards shall be placed on probationary status for the remainder of the fiscal year. If a provider fails to meet the standards for two consecutive years, such provider shall be removed from the approved provider list. Any diploma issued under this act shall be recognized as a secondary school diploma by the state. These provisions are identical to SB 139 (2021) and SB 839 (2020) and similar to provisions in the truly agreed CCS#2/HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 681 & 662 (2022), provisions in the truly agreed HCS/SB 718 (2022), and provisions in the re-perfected HB 2325 (2022). JAMIE ANDREWS