A-1791

Sponsored by: Assemblyman WAYNE P. DEANGELO District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex), Assemblyman ANTHONY S. VERRELLI District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer), Assemblywoman ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT District 31 (Hudson), Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer), Senator LINDA R. GREENSTEIN District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)

Co-Sponsored by: Assemblymen Freiman, Wirths, Space, Assemblywomen Reynolds-Jackson, Jasey, Speight, Assemblymen Umba, Moen, Assemblywoman Lopez and Senator Stanfield

STATEMENT

This bill requires the Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, to establish an awards program to be known as the “Career and Technical Education Scholar Awards.” The awards program is required to annually recognize outstanding career and technical education students who:

· demonstrate a high level of achievement in a career and technical education program as exemplified by course grades, industry-recognized technical assessments, and teacher recommendations;

· demonstrate a high level of achievement in at least three academic classes, as exemplified by course grades, end-of-course assessments, and teacher recommendations;

· successfully complete a college-level course or a work-based learning experience including, but not limited to, employment under a cooperative education agreement, an internship, or a work-based structured learning experience; and

· participate in a career and technical education student organization or a community service project that demonstrates the application of career and technical skills.

Under the bill, the department is required to establish an application procedure and criteria and guidelines for the eligibility, nomination, and judging of applications for the awards program. The department will post the names of the award recipients on its website and is to recognize the recipients through the award of a certificate, a press announcement, or other appropriate form of recognition.

As reported by the committee, this bill is identical to Senate Bill No. 3306, which also was reported by the committee on this same date