SB 738 — High school students; instruction concerning post-graduate opportunities.

SESSION ENROLLED VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY ––-- 2022 SESSION CHAPTER E344 An Act to amend and reenact § 23.1-203 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by Educationadding fora Virginia;section numbered 22.1-206.1, relating to Department of Education;

State Council of Higher Education for Virginia;

O [S 738] L Approved LApril 811, 2022 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

E 1.

That § 23.1-203 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of VirginDaVirginia is §amended 22.1-206.1.by adding a section numbered 22.1-206.1 as follows:

§ 22.1-206.1.

B.information that assists high school students in making more informed decisions about their futures after graduating from high school and in doing so ensure that such students are aware of the costs and benefits of different educational and certificate programs.

The Department shall annually collect and distributecompile tosuch schoolinformation boardsin andconsultation publiclywith postthe onState itsCouncil websiteof informationHigher thatEducation assistsfor highVirginia school(the studentsCouncil) inand makingany moreother informedentity decisionsthat aboutcan theirassist futuresthe afterDepartment graduatingwith fromcollecting high school and incompiling doing so ensure that such studentsinformation are aware of the costs and benefitsshall ofupdate differentits educationaldistribution andmaterials certificateaccordingly programs.each year.

The Department shall annuallypost colleBt and compiledistribute suchthe information into consultationschool boards, with theany Staterelevant Councilupdates, ofno Higherlater Educationthan forOctober Virgini31 (theeach informationyear, and shall provide an annual update itsto distributionthe materialsGeneral accordinglyAssembly eachon year.how such information was distributed.

The Department sEall post and distribute the information to school boards, with any relevant updates, no later than October 1 each year, and shall provide an annual update to the General Assembly on how such information was distributed.

To the extent available from the Council or other entities or sources, the most in-demand occupations in the Commonwealth, including entry wages and common degree levels required or encouraged for entering such occupations, and lists of offerings at institutions of higher education that offer such programs.

To the extent available from the Council or other entities or sources, the average monthly student loan payment and the average total amount of student loans for individuals who attend institutions of higher education, with such information distinguished by type of institution, to the extent that the Dep5.Department and the Council can determine such information.

5.

Median annual wages for individuals who graduate from institutions of higher education, dis9.distinguished by degree level.

9.

students12. in weighing the costs and benefits of post-high-school training and education.ist high school § 23.1-203.

Any other information that the Department or the Council deem appropriate to assist high school students in weighing the costs and benefits of post-high-school training and education.

§ 23.1-203.

of 4 The Council shall:

Develop a statewide strategic plan that (i) reflects the goals set forth in subsection A of of 4 § 23.1-1002 or (ii) once adopted, reflects the goals and objectives developed pursuant to subdivision B 5 of § 23.1-309 for higher education in the Commonwealth, identifies a coordinated approach to such state and regional goals, and emphasizes the future needs for higher education in the Commonwealth at both the undergraduate and the graduate levels and the mission, programs, facilities, and location of each of the existing institutions of higher education, each public institution's six-year plan, and such other matters as the Council deems appropriate.

When consistent with the Government Data Collection and Dissemination Practices Act (§ 2.2-3800 et seq.), of 4 the Virginia Unemployment Compensation Act (§ 60.2-100 et seq.), and applicable federal law, the Council, acting solely or in partnership with the Virginia Department of Education or the VirgiEiaVirginia Employment Commission, may contract with private entities to create de-identified student records in which all personally identifiable information has been removed for the purpose of assessing theNthe performance of institutions and specific programs relative to the workforce needs of the CommonRealth.Commonwealth.

of 4 10.

In cooperation with public institutions of higher education, develop guidelines for the assessment guidelines of thestudent Councilachievement. and is consistent with the institution's mission and educational objectives in the development of such assessment.

Each such institution shall use an approved program that complies with the guidelines of the Council and is consistent with the institution's mission and educational objectives in the development of such assessment.

In cooperation with the appropriate state financial and accounting officials, develop and establish uniform standards and systems of accounting, recordkeeping, and statistical reporting for publiEpublic institutions of higher education.

No such change shall become effective until 30 report.terdays after the adjournment of the session of the General Assembly next following the filing of such 13.report.

13.

S 14.

Provide advisory services to each accredited nonprofit private institution of higher edu7ationeducation whose primary purpose is to provide collegiate or graduate education and not to provide religio8sreligious training or theological education on academic, administrative, financial, and space utilizationRmatters.utilization matters.

established15. by state law.

Adopt such policies and regulations as the Council deems necessary to implement its duties established by state law.

An institution may ensure the preservation of student transcripts by binding agreement with another institution of higher education with which it is not corporately connected or in such other way as the Council may authorize by regulation.

Provide periodic updates of base adequacy funding guidelines adopted by the Joint Subcommittee Stu20.Studying Higher Education Funding Policies for each public institution of higher education.

20.

Cooperate with the Board of Education in matters of interest to both public elementary and secondary schools and public institutions of higher education, particularly in connection with coordination of the college admission requirements, coordination of teacher training programs with the public school programs, and the Board of Education's Six-Year Educational Technology Plan for of 4 Virginia.

of 4 25.