Helping to Close California’s Career Technical Education Gap

(SACRAMENTO) – Today, the Senate Education Committee unanimously approved a legislative package proposed by Senator Richard D. Roth that addresses California’s Career Technical Education (CTE) needs. The three-bill package – Senate Bills 554, 563, and 586 – will address the missing link between a person’s education and his or her career.

“According to researchers, California will be short about 1 million employees with bachelor's degree; at the same time roughly 1/3 of the new jobs created in California will require some training beyond high school but less than a four-year degree,” said Senator Richard D. Roth (D-Riverside). “To address this we must ensure our CTE programs are agile, that they are collaborative, that they are inclusive, and that they are effective.”

• Senate Bill 554 will extend to Adult High School Equivalency students the ability to concurrently enroll in a community college course as special part-time students, for whom tuition and fees may be waived, and receive credit in one or more community college courses (up to 11 credits) during any session or term.
   
• Senate Bill 563 will reduce barriers, enhance early college opportunities, and promote the development of college and career focused community college district partnerships with local high school districts, by funding College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) programs at three community college districts in partnership with up to 15 high schools.
   
• Senate Bill 586 will require community colleges districts and school districts that enter CCAP partnership agreements, to work with their local workforce development boards to ensure program offerings reflect high job growth areas.

This legislative session, both houses are working to enhance dual enrollment through the 2019 Dual Enrollment Legislative Package. Senator Roth’s SB 563 is in partnership with Assemblymember Chris Holden’s (D-Pasadena) legislation, AB 30.

“Dual enrollment will increase the number of college graduates, reduce time and money spent for college, and help close the achievement gap,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden. “This joint effort is a win for students and their families.”

Senator Roth continued: “Now is our time to act if we want to close this achievement gap and ensure that California can and will meet the challenge of preparing our students, both the young and not so young, for the workplace of the future.”

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Senator Richard D. Roth represents the 31st State Senate District, which includes the communities of Corona, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, March Air Reserve Base, Moreno Valley, Norco, Perris and Riverside. Prior to his election, he served for 32 years in the United States Air Force, retiring in 2007 in the grade of Major General.