Staats Bill to Overhaul Career and Technical Education Headed to Governor’s Desk

September 26, 2019

HARRISBURG – A bill sponsored by Rep. Craig Staats (R-Bucks), which represents the most significant reform of Pennsylvania’s career and technical (CTE) education laws in more than 30 years, passed a major hurdle today and is now on its way to becoming law.

House Bill 265, an omnibus bill that contains the text of other significant CTE legislation aimed at enhancing career and technical education, job training and workforce development, would also provide high school and college students with access to information regarding the transfer policies of other educational institutions, saving them time and money.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) maintains a searchable online database and portal that displays articulation agreements entered into by community colleges, institutions in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and other institutions that choose to participate. Staats’ bill would require all public schools – including school districts, intermediate units, vocational-technical schools, charter schools and cyber charter schools – as well as Northern Pennsylvania Regional College, state-related institutions, and Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, to submit articulation agreements to PDE for inclusion in the database.

“This information would help students plan where courses, programs, certificates and diplomas transfer among public schools, colleges and universities before committing their time and precious resources,” said Staats, who is a member of the House Education Committee.

“I want to thank my House colleagues whose legislation was included in my bill,” said Staats. “These measures were long overdue and will serve to prepare our students for the job market and attract employers and economic development to the Commonwealth.”

Representative Craig Staats
145th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Donna Pinkham
717.260.6452
dpinkham@pahousegop.com
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