The Florida Senate

229.595  Implementation of state system of education accountability for school-to-work transition.--

(1)  The Legislature recognizes that the most efficient and cost-effective means of preparing youth to enter the workforce is through the provision of instructional experiences in elementary and secondary schools that enable students to attain entry-level employment and enroll in postsecondary institutions. The Legislature further recognizes that such preparation requires student demonstration of competence in a comprehensive array of academic, social, and technical skills. The Legislature intends that education accountability efforts specifically include measures through which schools can document the manner in which they have prepared students to enter the workforce.

(2)  School accountability efforts shall include information regarding the provision of accurate, timely career and curricular counseling to students. Such accountability shall include a delineation of the information available to students regarding career opportunities, educational requirements associated with each career, educational institutions that prepare students to enter each career, and student financial aid available to enable students to pursue any postsecondary instruction required to enter that career. Such accountability shall also delineate school procedures for identifying individual student interests and aptitudes which enable students to make informed decisions about the curriculum that best addresses their individual interests and aptitudes while preparing them to enroll in postsecondary education and enter the workforce. Information shall include recommended high school coursework that prepares students for success in college-level work. Such information shall be made known to parents and students annually through inclusion in the institution's handbook, manual, or other similar documents regularly provided to parents and students. Schools are encouraged to implement innovative methods for the communication of information to parents and students.

(3)  School accountability efforts shall delineate the availability of applied instruction that utilizes concrete, real-world examples to elicit demonstrated student competence comparable to the student performance standards delineated for corresponding traditional college-preparatory courses. Such efforts shall also delineate the support services available for students who require assistance in order to successfully complete instruction necessary to enroll in postsecondary education or enter the workforce.

(4)  School accountability efforts shall delineate the availability of instruction that enables students to acquire the technical skills associated with specific clusters of occupations as well as employability skills that apply to most occupations. In addition, such efforts shall describe and identify the availability of workplace-based learning experiences. Any school that conducts secondary vocational programs shall identify any agreements through which each program articulates into corresponding postsecondary programs.

(5)  Any assessment required for student receipt of a high school diploma shall include items designed to assess student preparation to enter the workforce. The Florida Commission on Education Reform and Accountability shall identify the employability skills associated with successful entry into the workforce from which such items shall be derived.

History.--s. 5, ch. 94-319; s. 4, ch. 97-246.