Bill description: SB 1105 would allow students to use Advanced Opportunities funding for career technical education workforce training programs.

Rating: -1

Does it increase government spending (for objectionable purposes) or debt? Conversely, does it decrease government spending or debt?

Currently, the Advanced opportunities program lets students enrolled in Idaho public schools to receive up to $4,125 any time between grades 7 through 12 to use for certain educational purposes. They can use the money to take courses offered outside of the traditional schedule, such as overload courses or dual credits. Students can also use it to pay for examinations such as those offered by the Advanced Placement program or the International Baccalaureate program. They can also use the funds t to take career technical certificate examinations.

SB 1105 would allow public school students to receive up to $500 for career technical education workforce courses, and up to a total of $1,000 per year. These courses would have to:

• Be provided by an Idaho public technical college;
• Lead to an industry-recognized certificate, license, or degree;
• Be required training for occupations deemed regionally in demand;
• Be courses that are not otherwise available at the student's high school.

The fiscal note for this legislation estimates that expanding the Advanced Opportunities program to include reimbursements for such courses would cost $462,000.

(-1)