This bill authorizes the use of career coaches alongside school counselors to help public middle and high school students and their parents create personalized graduation plans. The law establishes that these professionals can work together or independently to guide students through their educational goals. By adding career coaches to the list of eligible advisors, the measure expands the support options available to students without changing the core requirement of developing an individualized plan.
This bill establishes a Work-Based Learning Coordination Task Force within the Louisiana Education Department to oversee programs that connect students with real-world job experiences. The task force will be composed of representatives from various sectors, including school superintendents, business leaders, economic development organizations, and public charter schools. Recent amendments adjust the number of members from specific groups and clarify that one member must represent a medium-to-large business. The group is designed to coordinate efforts across urban and rural K-12 schools to improve workforce preparation for students.
This bill modernizes Louisiana's high school career and technical education system by creating a structured pathway that leads to a new "Career Diploma." It directly affects K-12 students, educators, and employers by establishing a four-stage developmental framework that begins in seventh grade and ensures every student has access to these programs regardless of their location. Key provisions include the creation of a membership collaborative to oversee the program, the requirement for individualized career plans for students, and the guarantee that credits earned through these pathways will be accepted by all Louisiana postsecondary institutions. The legislation also introduces new roles such as qualified career coaches and sets standards for work-based learning to better align education with current industry needs.
This bill modernizes Louisiana's high school career and technical education system by creating a new framework known as the Louisiana Jump Start Modernization Act. It directly affects K-12 students, educators, and employers by establishing a structured pathway that allows students to earn a specialized Career Diploma recognized by all state colleges and universities. Key provisions include requiring every student starting in seventh grade to create an individual career plan, setting up a collaborative governance body to oversee program quality, and ensuring that students in rural areas have access to the same rigorous coursework as those in urban districts. The legislation also mandates the use of detailed wage data from employers to track student outcomes and defines specific roles for career coaches to guide students through their technical training.
This bill creates a new pathway for establishing vocational and technical charter schools in Louisiana that bypass local school boards and go directly to the state board for approval. To qualify, these schools must offer programs aligned with high-demand, high-wage jobs in sectors like manufacturing, technology, and energy, and they must receive a formal resolution of support from the State Board of Commerce and Industry. The legislation allows up to 50% of student enrollment to be reserved for children of employees or residents working in the specific industry the school serves, while also permitting industry representatives to sit on the school's governing board. Additionally, the bill requires charter agreements to include memorandums of understanding with local businesses to provide support such as internships and career counseling.
This bill designates March 25, 2026, as Louisiana Community and Technical College System Day at the state capitol. It directly affects the twelve community and technical colleges in Louisiana by formally recognizing their contributions to student education and workforce training. The resolution acknowledges the colleges' role in providing affordable education, technical training, and workforce development programs that support economic growth and employment opportunities. This is a commemorative measure that honors the institutions' work rather than changing laws or policies.
This bill designates Wednesday, March 25, 2026, as Louisiana Community and Technical College Day at the state Capitol to honor the twelve community and technical colleges in Louisiana. The resolution formally recognizes these institutions' contributions to student education and workforce training across the state. It does not change laws or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the colleges' role in providing affordable education and technical training. The bill is transmitted to the president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System for official record.
HB 787 removes computer science as a mandatory course requirement for Louisiana students seeking TOPS-Tech scholarships. The bill amends the state's education code to change the "nine credits in Jump Start course sequences" requirement so that computer science is no longer a fixed credit; students may now fulfill this credit with other approved career-focused courses instead. This directly affects high school students in Louisiana who qualify for TOPS-Tech awards by altering the specific course requirements they must complete. The change simplifies the path to TOPS eligibility by offering flexibility in course selection within career pathways.
HB 268 requires Louisiana public schools to provide career exposure activities for students in grades 6-8, mandating at least six activities annually per grade level. Three of these activities must align with high-demand Louisiana jobs (via Louisiana Works), involve employer interaction, link to career pathways, or offer work-based learning. It also requires schools to provide at least one career awareness activity for K-5 students before fifth grade and document at least one activity per student in their Individualized Graduation Plan. School boards must annually certify compliance to the state Department of Education and maintain records of these activities.
SB 322 creates a new "Louisiana Youth Apprentice" category for workers under 24 in apprenticeship programs. It requires youth apprentices to complete at least 375 hours of employment combined with an approved training program leading to both a high school diploma or equivalent and an industry credential (like a certificate or technical certification). This defines a separate pathway from standard apprenticeships, which require 2,000+ hours, and applies specifically to young workers seeking job training and credentials. The bill amends existing Louisiana law to establish these youth-specific eligibility rules.
