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A Deeper Dive into SB 240 (2023)
SB 240 was priority legislation in the 2023 session and seeks to improve technology and workforce education. With $100M put in place for this initiative, district school boards, Florida College System institutions and other stakeholders can fund new or expand on current CTE programs serving middle and high school students. Additional bonus funding is also available within the Florida Education Finance program for select achievements in CTE.
This bill also strengthens opportunities for students to engage in work-based learning requiring each district to provide all students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 with at least one work-based learning opportunity. More support for CTE pathways for students will provide continuity through controlled open enrollment for middle school students to continue their CTE programs in high school, enhancing career and academic plans by requiring them to be updated and requiring parents to be provided information about CTE opportunities and benefits for students.
SB 240 expands options for students to earn credit through extracurricular participation in career and technical student organizations. Specifically, for students with disabilities, this initiative opens up more enrollment and participation opportunities in workforce education programs.
The bill adds requirements for school districts to include notifying parents and students of career and academic planning options and work-based learning opportunities and pathways. Specifically, the language of the bill states the following:
- Requires a middle grade student’s personalized academic and career plan to include information on the career and technical education graduation pathway option and work-based learning opportunities and maintains a provision of the bill requiring the plan to be updated at least annually.
- Expands the required annual school district parental notification on high school acceleration options to include notification to the student, information on career and academic planning options, and the contact information of a certified school counselor who is able to provide advice.
The bill also requires a middle grade student’s personalized academic and career plan to include information on the career and technical education graduation pathway option and work-based learning opportunities. The bill amends ss. 1003.02 and 1014.05, F.S., to require district school board policies to include procedures for a parent or guardian and the student to learn about workforce education options for students, such as apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship, diversified education, CTE courses and programs, career and technical student organizations (CTE student organizations) and industry certifications, and the costs and benefits of CTE in comparison to other postsecondary pathways.
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