Career technical education.

Existing law requires the governing board of each regional occupational center or program, on or before July 1, 2010, to ensure that at least 90% of all state-funded courses offered by the center or program, in occupational areas in which both the program or center and the community college offer instruction, are part of occupational course sequences that target comprehensive skills. Existing law additionally requires, as a condition of receiving federal funds provided under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act of 1998, and to the extent permitted under federal law, that school districts, regional occupational centers or programs, and community college districts comply with specified requirements relating to the development of course sequences. This bill would additionally require, commencing with the 2012–13 fiscal year, as a condition of receiving federal funds provided under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act of 1998, and to the extent permitted under federal law, that school districts, regional occupational centers or programs, and community college districts demonstrate that at least one-half of the course sequences offered are linked to high priority workforce needs in the career sectors identified by the Labor and Workforce Development Agency or the Labor Market Information Division of the Employment Development Department for the state of California, for the economic region established by the state where the regional occupational center or program, community college district, or school district is located, or for the county where the regional occupational center or program, community college district, or school district is located. The bill would encourage school districts, regional occupational centers or programs, and community college districts to work with local workforce investment boards and the Labor Market Information Division of the Employment Development Department in the identification of career sectors of high priority.