AN ACT to add a career pathways course to the standard course of study and TO require the completion of career plans in schools.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.(a)  Part 1 of Article 8 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

§ 115C‑81.12.  Career pathways course.

The State Board shall develop standards for a middle school course in which students investigate and learn about career pathways. The standards shall align with the requirements for career development plans under G.S. 115C‑158.10(c). All students in grade seven shall complete the course, and, by the conclusion of the course, students shall complete a career development plan as required under G.S. 115C‑158.10(a).

SECTION 1.(b)  This section becomes effective beginning with the 2024‑2025 school year.

SECTION 2.(a)  Article 10 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Part to read:

Part 1A. Career Development Plans.

§ 115C‑158.10.  Career development plans.

(a)        All middle and high school students enrolled in a local school administrative unit shall complete a career development plan that meets the requirements of this section. The local board of education shall ensure that students are provided assistance in completion of the plan as well as instruction on how to access that plan throughout the student's enrollment. A student shall not be promoted from seventh grade until a career development plan is created and shall not be promoted from tenth grade until the career development plan is revised. Local boards of education are encouraged to require more frequent revisions as appropriate. Charter schools are encouraged to require participation in career development plans for students in accordance with this section.

(b)        Local boards of education shall ensure that career development plans are easily accessible to students and parents and shall provide parents written notice of the initial creation of a career development plan and information on how to access the plan.

(c)        The State Board of Education shall adopt rules establishing minimum requirements for career development plans and shall require local boards of education to provide access to all career development plans through a designated electronic application. Career development plans shall include at least the following:

(1)        Self‑assessment of the student's aptitudes, skills, values, personality, and career interests.

(2)        Exploration and identification of pathways for careers aligned with the student's self‑assessment that include the following for each career:

a.         Identification of needed education, training, and certifications.

b.         Information on the most cost‑efficient path to entry.

c.         Opportunities within the school setting to explore and prepare for the career.

(3)        Alignment of academic courses and extracurricular activities with the student's identified career interests, including the following:

a.         Inventory of aligned courses in middle and high school in grades six through 10, and development of best strategies for course selection in grades 11 and 12 to achieve identified career interests.

b.         Available record of the following:

1.         Completed dual‑enrollment courses.

2.         Extracurricular activities.

3.         Awards and recognitions.

(4)        Creation of a career portfolio, which may include items such as the following:

a.         Documentation of postsecondary plans.

b.         Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid with parental consent.

c.         Resume.

d.         Occupational outlook for identified career interests.

SECTION 2.(b)  G.S. 115C‑218.75 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

(k)      Career Development Plans. – A charter school is encouraged to adopt a policy to require all middle and high school students to complete a career development plan in accordance with G.S. 115C‑158.10.

SECTION 2.(c)  The State Board of Education shall establish a pilot of at least 20 local school administrative units during the 2023‑2024 school year to develop the plan requirements and professional development necessary for successful statewide implementation of career development plans in the 2024‑2025 school year. The State Board of Education shall direct the Department of Public Instruction to develop and provide a career development plan electronic application to local boards of education and participating charter schools no later than the 2024‑2025 school year that will provide access for all students and parents to the student's career development plan and will integrate with career information available through other State agencies.

SECTION 2.(d)  The Department of Public Instruction and the local boards of education, as appropriate, shall provide or cause to be provided, prior to the start of the 2024‑2025 school year, curriculum content for the course required in Section 1 of this act and professional development to ensure that the intent and provisions of this section are carried out.

SECTION 2.(e)  Subsections (a) and (b) of this section become effective beginning with the 2024‑2025 school year. The remainder of this section is effective when it becomes law.

SECTION 3.  Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law.