Vocational education programs; require to be established in every school district or shared operation between multiple districts.

HB 1279 requires every Mississippi school district to establish a vocational education program or partner with other districts to jointly operate one, subject to approval by the State Board of Education. It mandates that school boards (or groups of boards) create agreements covering financing, facility management, staffing, and student admission for these programs. The bill specifically targets non-degree vocational training (like trades, health, or business skills) for students, excluding bachelor’s-level programs. This policy change shifts the requirement from voluntary to mandatory for all districts, aiming to expand access to career-focused education.