Pupil instruction: career technical education, career education, work-based learning, work experience education, and apprenticeships.

Definitions previously housed in two separate sections (Section 51755 under a new Article 6.5, and Section 51759) were consolidated into a single Section 51759. The separate Article 6.5 designation was eliminated.

All cross-references throughout the bill were updated from 'Article 6.5 (commencing with Section 51755)' to 'Article 7 (commencing with Section 51759)' to reflect the consolidated structure.

The enrolled version removed amendment history dates, author attributions, and the original introduction date from the header, replacing them with passage dates for both chambers and standard enrolled bill formatting including a Governor receipt line.

A new definition for 'career technical education pathway' was added: two or more sequential career technical education courses for a minimum of 20 semester credits, leading to specific competencies enabling pupils to attain entry-level employment upon graduation.

The definition of 'youth apprentice' was changed from an inline definition (requiring age 16+, full-time enrollment in grade 10-12 or adult education, and participation in a registered apprenticeship program) to a cross-reference to Section 3073.5 of the Labor Code.

Section 51759 was expanded from a simple cross-reference to Section 51755 into a standalone section containing its own full set of definitions (subdivisions a through q), effectively creating a parallel or alternative definitions framework for work-based learning activities.

New definition of 'career technical education pathway' added: two or more sequential CTE courses for a minimum of 20 semester credits leading to specific competencies that enable pupils to attain entry-level employment upon high school graduation.

New definition of 'student apprentice' added: a youth apprentice who is enrolled full-time in high school grade 10, 11, or 12 (or an adult education program) AND is participating in a youth apprenticeship program.

The definition of 'youth apprentice' was changed from an inline definition to a reference to Section 3073.5 of the Labor Code, aligning the Education Code with the Labor Code's existing definition.

Section 51760(d) now allows local educational agencies or state special schools to reimburse employers for all or a portion of actual costs incurred to obtain and maintain workers' compensation and liability insurance coverage for participating pupils, including premiums and related administrative costs.

New subdivision (d)(2) in Section 51760 explicitly states that an employer providing workers' compensation and liability insurance is responsible for workers' compensation coverage and liability for injuries sustained by a pupil while participating in work-based learning activities, to the extent required by applicable law.

Cross-references throughout the bill were updated from 'Article 6.5 (commencing with Section 51755)' to 'Article 7 (commencing with Section 51759)' in Sections 48800.8 and 48930.5, redirecting readers to the new definitions section.

The legislative counsel's digest was updated to explicitly include 'work-based learning' and 'work experience education' as topics covered by the bill, broadening the stated scope of the legislation.

Removed all quality standards for work-based learning activities, including 11 specific elements (emphasis on workplace learning, exposure to career areas, thoughtful placement, age-appropriate sequencing, reinforcement of classroom instruction, 21st century skills development, trained mentors, teacher-workplace coordination, regular assessment, youth involvement in structuring, and measurable learning outcomes) as well as the requirement that work-based learning be an integral part of a comprehensive program integrating academic courses and career technical education.

Removed Section 51760.2 in its entirety, which authorized local workforce development boards to develop principles and guidelines for establishing work-based learning activities in conjunction with educational agencies, community colleges, and other representatives.

Removed the provision that would have replaced targeted instructional improvement block grant funding with local control funding formula funding or career technical education funding for school districts offering career technical education programs, including the requirement for at least 2 courses in each series leading to specific competencies and the articulation plan requirements with community colleges.

Removed 'school-based' from the term 'student-led enterprise program' in Section 48930.5 and the definition in Section 51755(k), broadening the type of entrepreneurial programs that qualify as work-based learning activities beyond those physically located at a school.

Removed 'school-based registered apprenticeships' from the list of work-based learning activities that may include on-the-job training. The remaining categories are youth apprenticeship programs, internships, and mentorships.

Removed 'or other academic courses' from multiple references to where work-based learning activities may be offered, narrowing the delivery channels to work experience education courses, community classrooms, cooperative career technical education programs, and early college credit courses only.

Changed the state-mandated local program language from 'if the bill would impose new duties on school districts, local educational agencies' to 'if the bill would impose new duties on local educational agencies,' removing school districts as a separately listed category.

Expanded the definition of 'early college credit' to include 'early college, middle college, international baccalaureate' in addition to dual enrollment, dual credit, and advanced placement. Also added 'paid or unpaid' as a new element (6) to the internship definition.

Added language to the mentorship definition allowing it to 'occur outside of class time or school hours,' which was not present in the prior version.

Consolidated all definitions into Section 51755 (Article 6.5), with Section 51759 now simply stating that the definitions in Section 51755 apply, rather than maintaining a separate set of definitions for Article 7.

Removed all provisions amending Sections 51226 and 51226.1 of the Education Code, which had required the Superintendent to develop career technical education curriculum standards on a cyclical basis (not exceeding 5 years), convene industry advisory groups, and develop a curriculum framework for CTE implementation.

Added state special schools as an additional type of entity authorized to offer work-based learning activities, grant credit for work experience education programs, and participate in related provisions throughout the bill.

Removed provisions from the digest that would have authorized the State Department of Education to convene an interagency workgroup with the Division of Apprenticeship Standards and California Community Colleges for youth apprenticeship guidance, and removed provisions authorizing the division to adopt policies and rules for youth apprenticeship programs.

Created a new Article 6.5 (Section 51755) containing standalone definitions for work-based learning terms, separate from the existing Article 7 (Section 51759). Section 51759 now cross-references definitions in Section 51755 rather than containing them independently.

Expanded the definition of 'early college credit' to include early college, middle college, and international baccalaureate programs in addition to dual enrollment, dual credit, and advanced placement.

Added a minimum threshold to the internship definition: must be more than 25 hours in one semester, intersession, or summer school session. Previously no minimum hour requirement was specified.

Changed the 'local educational agency' definition from including 'education joint powers authority' to instead specifying 'regional occupation center or program operated by a county office of education or a joint powers authority.'

Renamed 'school-based enterprise program' to 'student-led enterprise program' and changed 'pupil-led' to 'student-led' in the definition. Also added that mentorship may occur outside of class time or school hours.

Significantly expanded the 'work experience education' definition from a brief two-sentence description to a detailed five-part definition requiring applied experiential learning, demonstrable learning outcomes, integration into educational pathway, and allowing pupils to earn wages while gaining academic credit.

Added a provision authorizing California Career Technical Education Incentive Grant Program grants (existing $300 million annual appropriation) to be awarded to pathway programs and work-based learning activities.

Changed the funding source referenced in career education course articulation provisions from 'targeted instructional improvement block grant funding or other accepted funds' to 'local control funding formula funding or career technical education funding.'

Modified the preapprenticeship program approval process: instead of requiring documentation that training activities are conducted in partnership with a division-approved apprenticeship program, now allows documentation showing approval by a local building and construction trades council for use of the multicraft core curriculum.

Added Section 53071.2 to the list of new sections being added to the Education Code.

New Section 48800.8 allows pupils concurrently enrolled in community college courses to participate in work-based learning activities as a component of those courses, subject to approval under the concurrent enrollment process and compliance with labor laws for minors.

New Section 48930.5 authorizes student body organizations to operate school-based enterprise programs (pupil-led revenue-generating businesses) as part of CTE or academic programs, supervised by a certificated employee.

Authorizes cooperative CTE programs and community classrooms to include work-based learning activities, extending the bill's reach to joint powers regional occupational centers and county-operated programs.

Authorizes Project Workability transition and employment preparation services for students with exceptional needs to include work-based learning activities.

Authorizes College and Career Access Pathways partnership agreements between community colleges and K-12 agencies to include work-based learning activities.

Removes 'state special schools' from the list of entities authorized to offer work experience education courses for graduation credit, but adds them as entities that can deliver work-based learning activities.

Replaces 'supplemental targeted instructional improvement block grant funding' with 'local control funding formula funding or career technical education funding' as the funding source for districts providing sequences of at least 2 CTE courses leading to specific competencies.

Authorizes Golden State Pathways Program grants (previously $500 million appropriated) to be awarded to pathways programs that provide work-based learning activities.

Authorizes California Partnership Academy funding to support academies that provide work-based learning opportunities.

Authorizes Strong Workforce Program funds, including the K-12 component, to support CTE programs that provide work-based learning activities.

Authorizes agricultural CTE program funding to support programs that provide work-based learning activities.

Removes the condition that data collection on work-based learning by the State Department of Education be contingent upon legislative appropriation; now requires it using existing systems and capabilities.

Changes the interagency workgroup provision from a requirement to an authorization for the State Department of Education, and removes the prior requirements for the department to establish priorities for occupational and industry skills frameworks and for the Division of Apprenticeship Standards to modify, reject, or adopt those frameworks.

Changes preapprenticeship program approval requirement: instead of requiring documentation that training is conducted in partnership with an approved apprenticeship program, now allows documentation evidencing approval by a local building and construction trades council for use of the multicraft core curriculum.

Adds new definitions for 'student apprentice' (age 16+, enrolled full-time in grade 10-12 or adult education, participating in a registered apprenticeship program), 'youth apprentice' (same criteria plus participation with Division of Apprenticeship Standards), and 'youth apprenticeship program' (registered program serving ages 16-24 that offers related instruction through CTE, work experience education, early college credit, or other academic courses and complies with minor labor laws).

Modifies the 'internship' definition to require more than 25 hours in one semester, intersession, or summer school session, and removes the prior reference to specific program types (work experience education, preapprenticeship, CTE, dual enrollment) in favor of a broader 'school-based program or course' connection.

Adds Senator Umberg as a coauthor alongside Senator Weber Pierson.

The entire provision amending Section 45125.1 of the Education Code was removed. This provision would have limited criminal background check requirements for contractor employees to those who supervise, mentor, or provide direct guidance or instruction to pupils, rather than any employee who interacts with pupils. It also included exemptions for IEP workplace placements and independent study programs.

Section 51226 now requires the Superintendent to set forth curriculum standards in terms of competencies in each academic subject area AND each career technical education subject area, rather than only CTE subject areas. The advice requirement was broadened from 'career technical education classroom teachers' to 'classroom teachers or career technical education classroom teachers, as applicable.'

A new section (3073.4) is added to the Labor Code, expanding the bill's reach beyond the Education Code into labor law governing apprenticeship programs.

The Superintendent is now authorized to develop curricular guidance to support implementation of CTE curriculum standards, and must recommend policies for timely consideration and adoption by the State Board of Education to ensure CTE courses are provided with up-to-date industry standards.

Section 51226.1 advisory groups are now convened for each 'career technical education industry sector-specific subject area' rather than each 'career technical education subject area.' New provisions require consideration of career pathway frameworks and identification of courses meeting UC/CSU admissions requirements.

Section 51759 adds multiple new definitions: 'internship' (expanded to include connection to more program types and a timeframe limitation), 'job shadowing experience' (limited to 3-25 hours per semester/intersession/summer session), 'mentorship,' 'preapprenticeship program,' 'related and supplemental instruction,' 'school-based enterprise program,' 'student apprentice' (must be at least 16, enrolled full-time in grade 10-12 or adult education), 'work experience education,' and 'youth apprenticeship program' (ages 16-24, must offer related instruction through CTE/work experience/early college credit, comply with minor labor laws, offer flexible hours, allow part-time employment).

The definition of 'local educational agency' in Section 51759 now includes 'joint powers authority' in addition to school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, and state special schools.

The definition of 'work-based learning' was changed from a reference to the federal definition in Title 20 U.S.C. Section 2302 to a new state-specific definition describing sustained interactions with industry or community professionals in real workplace settings or simulated environments aligned to curriculum and instruction.

The interagency workgroup provision was changed from requiring the State Department of Education to convene it to authorizing (but not requiring) it to do so. The Division of Apprenticeship Standards is now authorized to adopt policies, rules, and regulations to maintain the educational purpose of youth apprenticeship programs, determine expedited adoption processes for new programs, and set minimum requirements for high school-based youth apprenticeship programs.

The data collection requirement was changed from establishing a new system to using existing systems and capabilities of the State Department of Education to collect and maintain data on work-based learning, work experience education, and work permits.

Narrowed the criminal records summary requirement in Section 45125.1 from any contractor employee who 'interacts with' pupils to only those who 'supervise, mentor, or provide direct guidance or instruction to' pupils. This reduces the number of contractor workers who must be fingerprinted and cleared before working around students.

Added 'state special school' to the definition of 'local educational agency' in Section 45125.1, extending the bill's background check and other requirements to state-operated special schools in addition to school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools.

Changed the work-based learning authorization in Section 51760 from applying only to 'district' governing boards to 'local educational agency' governing bodies, broadening which entities can establish work-based learning programs.

Updated curriculum standards development in Section 51226.1 to require the Superintendent to work with 'the career technical education industry sector advisory groups' (specific existing groups) rather than a general 'advisory group,' and requires the department to convene an advisory group for each CTE subject area.

Removed outdated deadlines (January 1, 1985 for State Board adoption; June 1, 2005 for CTE course standards) and updated references from the 1998 Perkins Act to the 2006 Perkins Act throughout.