HB 1336 — "Mississippi Learn to Earn Act"; enact to authorize the earning of graduation credit through apprenticeships and other alternative courses.

HB1336 (As PassedSent theto House)Governor) - 2020 Regular Session MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE Regular Session To:

Representatives McCarty, Owen, Kinkade, Paden House Bill 1336 (As PassedSent theto House)Governor) AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE "MISSISSIPPI LEARN TO EARN ACT";

TO PROVIDE FOR LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS;

TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY, THE STATE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD AND THE MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD, TO IDENTIFY HIGHHIGH-SCHOOL-TO-WORK SCHOOL-TO-WORK APPRENTICESHIPS AND OTHER STUDENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS THAT MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTIONS FROM FEDERAL AND STATE LABOR LAWS AND REGULATIONS FOR WHICH EXEMPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR STUDENT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS, AND ESTABLISH PROCEDURES BY WHICH SUCH EXEMPTIONS MAY BE OBTAINED BY SUCH PROGRAMS;

TO ALLOW A STUDENT WHO EARNS CREDIT UPON COMPLETION OF A REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM TO USE SUCH CREDIT TO SATISFY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS;

TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP GUIDELINES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HIGHHIGH-SCHOOL-TO-WORK SCHOOL-TO-WORK APPRENTICESHIPS BETWEEN PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES;

TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO AUTHORIZE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO DEVELOP AN EXTENDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITY TO INCLUDE ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS IN GRADE 79 THROUGH GRADE 12 AND TO ADOPT A POLICY TO INCLUDE ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR COURSE CREDIT THAT RECOGNIZES LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES OUTSIDE OF THE TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM;

     SECTION 1.  This act shall be known, and may be cited as the "Mississippi Learn to Earn Act."      SECTION 2.  (1) As Theused Legislaturein findsthis andact, declaresthe that:following terms shall have the meaning ascribed in this section, unless the context requires otherwise:

          (a)  Students"Alternative arelearning involvedcourse" inor many"alternative programscourse, outsideprogram or opportunity" means a sequence of instruction over a period of time that meets reasonably equivalent requirements or competencies of a subject or subjects included in the traditionalcareer classroomand technical education curriculum included in the College and thatCareer theseReadiness programsStandards, havewhich educationalresults value;in the granting of a credit leading to high school graduation.

          (b)  Many"Apprenticeship" entitiesmeans: including, but not limited to, nonprofits, after-school programs, businesses and trade associations may have an interest in offering programs outside of the traditional classroom that are attractive to students and contain educational value;

                       (c) (i)  LearningA opportunitiesprogram that aremeets designed to address the interestsfederal andguidelines aptitudesset ofout eachin student29 haveCFR thePart potential29, toincluding allowIndustry everyPrograms; student to discover, develop and apply their talents to realize their full potential;

          (d)  There exist policies that multiply educational opportunities outside of the traditional classroom in other states, in the form of apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships and internships;

and           (e)  Providing credit for alternative educational opportunities and apprenticeships will enrich the learning environment of students and develop well rounded individuals ready for a life of learning, productive work and community involvement.

     SECTION 3.  As used in this act the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed in this section, unless context requires otherwise:

          (a)  "Alternative learning course" or "alternative course, program or opportunity" means a sequence of instruction over a period of time that meets reasonably equivalent requirements or competencies of a subject or subjects included in the career and technical education curriculum included in the College and Career Readiness Standards, which result in the granting of a credit leading to high school graduation.

          (b)  "Apprenticeship" means               (i)  A program that meets the federal guidelines set out in 29 CFR Part 29, including Industry Programs;

     SECTION 4. 3.  The State Board of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Employment Security, the State Workforce Investment BoardBoard, and the Mississippi Community College Board, and any relevant licensing authority shall identify highhigh-school-to-work school-to-work apprenticeships and other student internship programs that may be eligible for exemptions from those federal and state labor laws and regulations for which exemptions are available for student apprenticeship programs.  The State Board of Education, the Department of Employment Security, the State Workforce Investment Board and the Mississippi Community College Board shall also establish procedures by which such exemptions may be obtained for highhigh-school-to-work school-to-work apprenticeships and other student internship programs.

     SECTION 5. 4.  (1)  For the 2020-20212021-2022 school term, the State Board of Education shall promulgate a rule by December 31, 2020, authorizing local school boardsboards, in their discretion, to develop an Extended Learning Opportunity to include alternative educational opportunities available to students in Grade 79 through Grade 12, which are provided through apprenticeships, internships or pre-apprenticeships for elective course credit.

     (3)  The local school board is authorized to approve or deny an application for an alternative educational opportunity.  If an application is denied, the school board shall provide a detailed explanation of the reasons for its denial and recommendations to improve the application that will assist in obtaining a more favorable review by the school board.  If an application is approved by the school board, the application shall be submitted to the State Board of Education for review as provided in Section 76 of this act, prior to the implementation of the program within the local school district.

     (4)  The State Department of Education shall have the authority to audit approved alternative educational programs at any time.  If the audit results in findings that an approved program is not meeting the provisions of this act or the policy outlined in subsection (2) of this section, then the local school board mayshall disqualify the program immediately.

     SECTION 6. 5.  (1)  (a)  TheFollowing the adoption of the rule required in Section 4 of this act, the department shall accept applications from local school districts for the implementation of alternative courses, programs and opportunities or apprenticeship programsprograms.  no later than sixty (60) days from the passage of this act.  The department shall require an application for each alternative course, program or opportunity or apprenticeship program approved by a local school board to be implemented in its school district.

          (b)  Upon receipt of an applicationapplication, by certified mail, email or hand delivery, the department shall have forty-fiveninety (45)(90) days to approve or deny the application.  Any denied application shall be returned to the submitting local school board and shall include aan detailed explanation of the reasons for denial of the application,application. with stated benchmarks that must be met for a future application to be approved.  Any application not approved or denied within forty-five (45) days of receipt by the department shall be automatically approved.

     (2)  The State Department of Education shall provide an annual report detailing the progress that has been made in each local education agency or school district in providing alternative courses, programs and opportunities or apprenticeships.  The report shall be provided to the Chairmen of the Senate and House Education Committees no later than December 1 of each year. year, beginning December 1, 2021.  The report also shall be provided to the other members of the Legislature upon request and posted on the department's website for the general public to view.

     SECTION 7. 6.  (1)  Beginning with the effective date of this act, a licensing authority mustshall grant a license to any student applicant who participates in an alternative learning course, program or opportunity or apprenticeship program, and who meets the following criteria:

          (c)  Passed an examination, if one (1) is deemed to be necessary by the licensing authority;

     SECTION 8. 7.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after itsJuly passage.1, 2020.