§ 6-16-1803 — Career-ready pathway requirements

Arkansas § 6-16-1803

• Jurisdiction: Arkansas
• Title: 6

Text

(a) A career-ready pathway to a diploma shall: (1) Provide a student with credentials of value in a desired high-wage, high-growth career and a strong academic core; (2) Be offered to each high school student; (3) Prepare students to: (A) Pursue either a degree or certification from: (i) A institution of higher education; (ii) An industry-based training or certification; (iii) An apprenticeship; or (iv) The military; or (B) Immediately enter a career field; and (4) Be primarily designed for students who are seeking stackable credentials to be successful in a career. (b) (1) Each public school district shall develop and offer at least one (1) career-ready pathway that is aligned to state and regional workforce demands, according to rules adopted by the State Board of Education. (2) Each open-enrollment public charter school may develop and offer at least one (1) career-ready pathway that is aligned to state and regional workforce demands, according to state board rules. (c) Public school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools, in partnership with local business and industry leaders, local economic development agencies, and postsecondary education leaders, shall: (1) Review career-ready pathways offered by the public school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools; and (2) Expand offerings as appropriate, including without limitation: (A) Courses offered through articulation; (B) Concurrent enrollment courses; (C) Industry training programs; and (D) Digital learning opportunities. (d) A public school student in a career-ready pathway shall complete an academic core of courses and a career and technical sequence of courses or an approved training program that leads to an approved, industry-based credential in a high-wage, high-growth field.

Legislative History

Added by Act 2023, No. 237,§ 20, eff. 3/8/2023.