HB3646enr 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB3646 Enrolled LRB094 07128 NHT 37281 b

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Vocational Academies Act.

Section 5. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to integrate workplace competencies and career and technical education with core academic subjects.

Section 10. Establishment. A school district, in partnership with community colleges, local employers, and community-based organizations, may establish a vocational academy that is eligible for a grant under this Act if the vocational academy meets all of the following requirements:

(1) The vocational academy must have a minimum 5-clock-hour day and be under the direct supervision of teachers.

(2) The vocational academy must be a 2-year school within a school program for grades 10 through 12 that is organized around a career theme and operated as a business-education partnership.

(3) The vocational academy must be a career-oriented program that uses the direct involvement of local employers to provide students with an education and the skills needed for employment.

(4) The vocational academy must be a standards-based educational program that prepares students both academically and technically for entrance into postsecondary education or careers in a selected field.

(5) The curriculum of the vocational academy must be based on the Illinois Learning Standards, and work-site training must provide students with learning experiences for entry-level employment in the local job market and lifelong learning skills for higher education.

Section 15. Grants. Subject to appropriation or other available federal or private funding, the State Board of Education may provide grants to vocational academies that meet the requirements of this Act.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.