Vermont Legislature SmartTranscripts:

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: Will the house please come to order and members kindly take their seats? Good morning. Good morning. Members, in lieu of a devotional today, will you please join me in a moment of silence? Are there any announcements? Are there any announcements? Seeing none, orders of the day. Alright. Members, we will begin with senate bill three thirteen which is an act relating to transforming Vermont's career technical education system. The bill was referred to the committee on commerce and economic development which recommends that the house proposed to the senate to amend the bill as printed in today's calendar. The member from Coventry, representative Markot will speak for the committee. The bill was then committed to the committee on education which recommends that the report of the committee on commerce and economic development be amended as printed in today's calendar. The member from Cornwall, representative Conlon will speak for that committee. And then carrying an appropriation, the bill was then referred to the committee on appropriations which recommends that the bill ought to pass in concurrence with the proposal of amendment recommended by the committee on commerce and economic development when amended as recommended by the committee on education. The representative from Burke, representative Kaczynski will speak for that committee. Please listen to the second reading of the bill.

[House Clerk (Reading Clerk)]: 13, an act relating to transforming Vermont's career technical education system.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: Member from Coventry.

[Representative Michael Marcotte]: Thank you, madam speaker. Some of you may wonder why your committee on commerce and economic development has been working on a bill about career and technical education. I'd like to take you down memory lane a little bit and give you some background. 2017, your House Committee on Commerce was relieved of its charge of overseeing telecommunications and electric utilities when the newly formed energy and technology committee was instituted. However, house commerce was then given oversight on all things workforce. And when I say all things workforce, I mean all things workforce with in and outside the state government. We began working with the workforce division at the Department of Labor, with the Career Technical Education Division at the Agency of Education, as well as our 17 career centers in both secondary and adult education, and our House Committee on Education and our Legislative Council. We have spent a considerable amount of time in this session working with our CTE directors, with the secretary of education and director of CTE, with the commissioner of the Department of Labor and the director of workforce at the Department of Labor, as well as with our legislative council on the issues of governance. We have four different governance systems throughout our 17 CTE centers with no clear consensus of which system we should adopt. We heard and developed legislative language to create an education service agency or ESSA, which led to many questions of how this might work, especially when we don't know yet what the reform of statewide education will be. The governance discussion must happen together with these reforms. So we've taken another road. Your Committee on Commerce and Economic Development strongly recommends that as we look down this road of education transformation, that our goal should be developing regional integrated high schools where CTE is one part of the curriculum, one part of the curriculum, not standalone, just as reading, writing, arithmetic and science are. And that there be one building or campus within one school budget. No more separating out the funding. We can no longer separate our students' educational opportunities, we must integrate them. During discussions we have had both over the previous eight years and during this session, we have learned that the absence of a statewide school calendar, statewide graduation requirements, that only 50% of school districts are implementing some aspect of the legislative requirement of personalized learning plans for every student has caused us to fail our children. Many CTE centers have CTE programs that are oversubscribed and others that are undersubscribed. We are leaving too many of our children behind and they deserve better. We have students who are unable to access CTE centers, the students that are struggling with traditional ways of learning. Many times, we lose these students to the correctional system. But we've also heard from those students who have accessed CTE, how it changed their life, changed their direction. Every student, every student, whether or not they are college bound should have, know they must have access to CTE. Especially for those who are not going off to college, it is imperative that we provide them with the skills that are needed to find good paying jobs in industries that are looking for a highly skilled workforce. And we cannot forget about them once they have graduated high school. We must provide more resources, more investments on the adult side of CTE. We have also heard that for nearly the past thirty years, CTE rules and procedures have not been updated causing many issues and difficulties within our CTE centers and system. We need to require that rule making and procedures be reviewed at a minimum of every five years and be updated if necessary. As sending school districts to the CTE centers also be required to accept the credits or proficiencies that the students earn. Madam speaker, it's time that CTE becomes as important as all other curriculum in our schools. We're at a crossroads now and CTE is becoming elevated. The need is great and I think the bill that your committee on commerce and economic development has worked on will help bring us to that place. So madam speaker, I would like to yield to the member from Jericho who will walk you through all the sections of the bill.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: The member from Coventry excuse me. The member from Coventry yields to the member from Jericho.

[Representative Trevor Squirrell]: Thank you, madam speaker. I really wanted the member from Coventry to have the ability to present this bill as his last bill on the floor as CTE is so dear to him. But in his generous nature, he has shared that with me. So I will now take you through the bill. You can find it on page thirty eight sixty seven of today's calendar. Section one is the findings, much of which was covered in chair Mokhardt's introduction. Section two is legislative intent, which hopefully everyone will find is common sense. Provide universal access to CTE, increase exposure and early awareness, provide consistency in admissions policies across the state, address student accesses that are created by lack of oh, address the issues that come up with student access that are created by lack of transportation, enable more flexible delivery models and sharing of resources, understand workforce needs and align CTE offerings to emerging labor markets, ensure funding system does not disincentivize student participation, and finally, modify CTE governance to strengthen the system. Section three requires that the Agency of Education, AOE, in collaboration with Vermont Association of Career and Technical Directors and the Vermont Superintendent Association issue guidance to provide clarity to the field prior to rules updates in the following areas. Definitions including what a CTE program or in credentials, embedded academics and satellite models mean. Credit standards, competency based pathways. Work based learning sequenced aligning with occupational safety and health administration standards and federal hazard orders. Minimum safety space equipment and equipment standards, data and reporting alignment with Perkins V, which is the federal funding that we get across the state, and explicit allowance for differentiated regional delivery models. Section four modifies 16 VSA fifteen thirty two to ensure that the State Board of Education reviews rules and procedures for CTE every five years and updates the rules and procedures as deemed necessary following that review. Section five asks the AOE to submit a report to the legislature covering three areas, Recommending educator endorsement requirements that balance the need for increasing numbers of CTE educators with industry expertise and the qualifications needed to provide quality education to students. Recommendations for a pathway to ease disputes between CTE centers and sending high schools which is a temporary measure that hopefully will be covered as we continue to reform our education model in the state, and updates to the flexible pathways initiative. It was created in 2013 and it has been inconsistently implemented at best throughout Vermont. Section six creates a new definition for comprehensive high schools as found in 16 BSA fifteen twenty two. This new definition is that it will be a public or independent school other than a career technical center that provides secondary career technical education approved under section fifteen thirty three of this title. And that and to state that as Vermont continues to update our education system, we move toward this school model. Section seven is a technical change to 16 BSA fifteen forty five that adds the words or proficiencies whenever the word credits is used to align with current practice. A number of years ago, we changed graduation requirements to proficiencies across the state but the language still says credits. The section also restates that students shall be able to apply any credits or proficiencies earned through their CTE education program toward graduation requirements. Section eight is a working group that will be removed in the amendment from house education. So, I am not going to review it right now. And section nine states that this act shall take effect on passage. Madam speaker, this body has had the best of intentions around providing educational opportunities for our students. Unfortunately, the implementation of many of these initiatives has been inconsistent creating haves and have nots across the state. This bill will be a temporary fix, but it will put us on the path to ensure more equal opportunities for all of our students. Your House Committee of Commerce and Economic Development heard from the following witnesses. The state director of adult education and literacy at the Agency of Education, the executive director of Northeast Kingdom Learning Services, a representative from Action Circles, two fiscal analysts from the Joint Fiscal Office, a technical education instructor from Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union, director of government affairs from Downs Rackland Martin, executive director of the Vermont Superintendents Association, the director of workforce development from the Department of Labor, president of Vermont Association of Career and Technical Directors, the chair of the State Board of Education, and legislative council from the Office of Legislative Council. The committee voted in favor eleven zero zero, and we ask the body for support.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: And now for the committee on education, member from Cornwall.

[Representative Peter Conlon]: Madam speaker, our committee would first of all like to very much thank the work of the house commerce and economic development committee for taking a deep dive into what has been a complicated system and sort of coming up with really a list of detailed important issues for the agency of education to dive into and make recommendations about. So we really only have three instances of amendment. And the first simply corrects a typo where the word early state is changed to early stage. The major change that we made was the elimination of the legislative working group called for toward the end of the bill. H95, the larger education bill that we've been discussing this session, calls out CTE as an important part of our education system in numerous places. And there's going to be a lot of work and a lot of discussion in the field and at the state level as to how to best incorporate CTE in newly merged districts as they move forward. And so because that work is going on, we really believe that a legislative working group sort of working separate and apart might not only be duplicative but might confuse the process. So that was eliminated. However, one of the charges of the legislative working group was to look at how do we deliver CTE for those students who are enrolled in the adult education programs, the adult what's called the adult diploma program. In the last year, have made a transition from a previous program that provided for CTE, especially among younger adult students, into a new program in which there are some complicating factors with federal funding. So we have added that to the list of tasks for the agency to be looking at and coming back to the legislature with recommendations for. Really beyond that, we mostly just really appreciate the thorough, detailed work of our colleagues in the House Commerce Committee. And we voted on our amendment ten zero one, and we ask for the body support.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: Member from Coventry.

[Representative Michael Marcotte]: Madam Speaker, your committee on commerce and economic development heard from the proposal of the amendment. The committee agrees and on a vote of eleven zero, ask for your support.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: And now speaking for the committee on appropriations, member from Burke.

[Unidentified Representative from Burke (Appropriations Committee)]: Thank you, madam speaker. Members of the appropriations committee received testimony from the House Education Committee, House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, and legislative council regarding s three one three. Our committee also received a review of the fiscal note from the joint fiscal office referencing that any fiscal impact at this time cannot be estimated pending future rule making. The fiscal note can be found on the appropriations website. We our committee thanks the education and commerce committees for their work to bring this proposal proposed legislation forward with a vote of ten zero one. Your committee on appropriations recommends that the bill ought to pass in concurrence as amended. Thank you.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: So the first question is, shall the report of the committee on commerce and economic development be amended as recommended by the committee on education? Are you ready for the question? If so, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed, please say nay. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it and you have amended the report of the committee on commerce and economic development. Now the member from Fairfax, representative Bartley and others offer a further amendment to the report of the committee on commerce and economic development that is printed in today's calendar, member from Fairfax.

[Representative Ashley Bartley]: Thank you, madam speaker. The amendment can be found on today's calendar on page thirty eight seventy six. Madam speaker, after concerns were raised regarding the solicitation language on Department of Corrections property that was included in the senate amendment to s two thirty, myself and others are now offering the following amendment to s three thirteen. This proposal takes the underlying language from s two thirty, removes the solicitation provision that has been found in section that had been found in section three of the bill and incorporates the remaining language into s three thirteen. The provisions of this amendment provide technical changes to the FLSA and PFLA while supporting survivors of domestic violence as well as supporting health care providers, but even more specifically our rural health care providers. And on a straw poll of seven zero four, the house committee on general and housing found the amendment favorable.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: And now a member from Jericho.

[Representative Trevor Squirrell]: House commerce heard the amendment with house housing and found it favorable ten zero one.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: And member from Cornwall.

[Representative Peter Conlon]: The House Education Committee appreciates the proposal of the amendment coming to our committee, talking a lot about parking lot solicitation. We found the amendment favorable, ten zero one, and enthusiastically ask for support.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: So the question is, shall the report of the committee on commerce and economic development as amended be further amended as offered by the member from Fairfax and others? Are you ready for the question? If so, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed, please say nay. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it. And you have further amended the report of the committee on commerce and economic development. Now the question is shall the house propose to the senate to amend the bill as recommended by the committee on commerce and economic development as amended? Are you ready for the question? If so, all those in favor please say aye. Aye. All those opposed please say nay. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it and you have post proposed to the senate to amend the bill. Now the question is, shall the bill be read a third time? Are you ready for that question? If so, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed, please say nay. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it and third reading is ordered. Member from Pultely, can you please offer us a motion to suspend our rules to place senate bill three thirteen in all remaining stages of passage?

[Representative Patricia McCoy]: Madam speaker, I make a motion to suspend rules in order to place s three thirteen in all remaining stages of passage.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: The member from Pultely moves that we suspend our rules to place senate bill three thirteen in all remaining stages of passage. Are you ready for the question? If so, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed, please say nay. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it and you have suspended rules to place senate bill three thirteen in all remaining stages of passage. Please listen to the third reading of the bill.

[House Clerk (Reading Clerk)]: S three thirteen, an act relating to transforming Vermont's career technical education system.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: The question is, shall the bill pass in concurrence with proposal of amendment? Are you ready for the question? If so, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed, please say nay. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it and you have passed the bill in concurrence with proposal of amendment. With that, member from Pulte, can you please offer us a motion to suspend our rules to message our action on senate bill three thirteen to the senate forthwith?

[Representative Patricia McCoy]: Madam speaker, I make a motion to suspend rules in order to message our action on senate bills s three thirteen to the senate forthwith.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: The member from moves that we suspend our rules to message our action on senate bill three thirteen to the senate forthwith. Are you ready for the question? If so, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed, please say nay. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it and you have suspended our rules to message our action on senate bill three thirteen to the senate forthwith. Members, at this time we have committees reviewing bills and amendments that have come over from the senate. So I expect at our next, when we come back at one that there will be several bills up for action. So please keep an eye on your email. And with that, the house will stand in recess until the fall of the gavel at 1PM.