An act relating to the creation of the statewide Study Abroad Program

This bill creates a new statewide Study Abroad Program in Vermont that allows high school students in grades 9 through 12 to spend one semester studying in a foreign country as part of their flexible graduation pathway. The program would be funded by school districts, with tuition costs capped at the average union high school tuition rate, and the state Secretary of Education would establish specific rules for eligibility, program requirements, and quality evaluation. Additionally, the bill updates existing flexible pathway guidelines to formally include study abroad as one of several alternative learning options alongside internships, virtual learning, and other educational experiences. The program would take effect on July 1, 2024, and aims to provide students with diverse educational opportunities while maintaining accountability through state oversight.