Transcript Highlights:

• that our students have a pathway to UCF.
• We need to make sure that our students have a pathway to UCF.
• after graduation.
• , and even sponsored the graduation event.
• So there are a lot of different pathways that these students can go. Thank you.

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee heard a panel discussion focused on how Florida schools and colleges are exposing students to in-demand careers in manufacturing, semiconductors, transportation, and related fields, and how they are building pathways from middle school through postsecondary training. Panelists from Seminole County Public Schools, Lake Technical College/Lake County Schools, and St. Petersburg College described their career academies, dual enrollment options, industry certifications, and partnerships with employers, local governments, and state colleges. They emphasized early career awareness, counseling, and parent outreach as key to helping students understand technical education as a viable and prestigious path. Seminole County highlighted 51 career and professional education academies and new offerings in agricultural biotechnology, global finance, firefighting, and planned aerospace engineering. Lake County described Lake Technical College’s programs, strong completion and placement outcomes, and three partnerships: a flexible-day high school/workforce model at Lincoln Park Education Center, the Lake Works pathway collaboration with Lake Sumter State College, and a Transportation Innovation Hub with the City of Tavares that trains students on municipal vehicles and serves multiple local governments. St. Petersburg College discussed its manufacturing and engineering technology programs, including semiconductor processing, mechatronics, soldering, and clean-room training, along with new grant-funded expansion at its Midtown campus. Members asked about wages, the semiconductor workforce, how to change perceptions of technical education, how parents are engaged, and how Bright Futures CAPE and Gold Seal scholarships are communicated. Witnesses said school counselors, CTE teachers, parent nights, and district communications are used to promote these options, and that many students can earn strong wages through short-term certifications or two-year degrees. Lake Technical College also raised concerns about workforce funding not keeping pace with teacher pay increases and inflation, noting that funding covers only about 80% of what it earns and tuition has remained unchanged for 18 years. The meeting ended with members praising the programs, and the subcommittee adjourned without any vote or formal action beyond rising and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so with that, we're going to... ...an M graduate.
• I have at least one or two that are graduating for nursing.
• Nearly 100% graduation rate for those that participate.
• Starting on page 12, we talk about our pathway programs.
• other kinds of pathway programs, we have about 12 different pathway programs that we're participating

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:07.760> And and pathways into the workforce. And and pathways into the workforce.
• > construction<00:04:38.560> and workforce pathways in construction and workforce pathways
• Our construction pathway healthcare.
• director of New Pathways Incorporated. director of New Pathways Incorporated.
• This investment would allow new pathways This investment would allow new pathways to<00:26:22.640

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ASSISTANT POSITION PATHWAY FOR MEDICAL GRADUATES WHO HAVE PASSED THEIR EXAMS BUT NOT YET BEEN SUCCESSFULLY
• OF LICENSES ISSUED FOR THE NEW PATHWAYS.
• GRADUATE ASSISTANT POSITIONS WERE NOT IN THE MATCHING SEASON FOR THIS.
• I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE EXPECT TO SEE GROWTH IN AS WE APPROACH GRADUATION.
• THIS IS A NEW PATHWAY. IT HAS TO GET THE WORD OUT ESPECIALLY WITH A NEW PATHWAY SUCH AS GAPS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To graduate from a CM program, a candidate would have to complete the same science prerequisites and
• <00:16:14.959> for Care by creating a new pathway for Care by creating a new pathway for Midwifery
• Once eligible, I enrolled in graduate midwifery school and completed my degree this year.
• Once eligible, I enrolled in graduate midwifery school and completed my degree this year.
• prerequisites to enter the graduate prerequisites to enter the graduate program<00:26:28.399>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that every student no matter their starting point has access to clear affordable and accelerate pathways
• I'm grateful for this non-traditional pathway to the last room.
• First big program or graduation alternative to traditional education, provide students with a pathway
• Is that because it might be alternative pathways into the workforce?
• There's several learn and earn pathways are for our students.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the students that are currently enrolled won't be able to progress and graduate.
• But there is a pathway in.
• We graduate, I think, one of the top three producers of nurses academically in the nation.
• When I was a nursing program director, I had three students take that pathway.
• And I would like to get drilled down a little bit more on the pathways.

Summary: The joint Assembly and Senate Business and Professions sunset oversight hearing focused first on the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), with committee chairs emphasizing oversight, consumer protection, workforce access, and economic mobility. BRN leaders reported improvements since the last review, including faster licensing timelines, streamlined enforcement, higher consumer satisfaction, growth in pre-licensure enrollment, and expanded data collection. Members questioned the board about nurse practitioner scope and supervision, international and military pathways to licensure, online nursing education and clinical requirements, rural workforce shortages, and the 30-unit LVN-to-RN option. BRN staff explained California’s tiered advanced practice system, the NCLEX and certification requirements, English proficiency rules, clinical hour standards, and the board’s role in approving programs and supporting schools through nursing education consultants. Several members and the board president also discussed the need to retain new graduates, improve diversity in the workforce, and better support nontraditional students and rural placements. Public comment on the BRN sunset review was extensive and largely supportive of the board, while also urging policy changes. Nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, and nursing education groups generally supported the BRN report and especially backed clarification of APRN-to-RN delegation authority under issue 13. Other commenters asked for clearer implementation of AB 890, more flexibility for clinical nurse specialists, streamlined renewals for nurse midwives, and changes to federal loan limits affecting graduate nursing education. Higher education representatives and private nursing schools raised concerns about duplicative BRN documentation, clinical placement bottlenecks, and barriers faced by out-of-state and online programs seeking to serve California students. The California Medical Association and some physician groups opposed easing transition-to-practice requirements for out-of-state nurse practitioners and cautioned against changes to specialty and delegation rules, while the California Nurses Association and others stressed the importance of community college pathways, new graduate support, and workforce retention. The hearing then moved to the Physical Therapy Board of California. Board leadership reported that the board oversees more than 41,000 active licensees, has seen about 15% growth since 2021, and continues to maintain high exam pass rates among California physical therapy and physical therapist assistant programs. The board described its mission as consumer protection through licensing, enforcement, continuing competency oversight, and stakeholder engagement. The vice president’s remote testimony encountered technical problems, so the executive officer continued with a brief overview of the board’s work and its commitment to efficient service and public protection. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We wouldn't let kids graduate without math and science.
• Do this through the career technical education pathway which is a different type of pathway to getting
• Career technical education. pathways and opportunities to those pathways have been very important in
• We endeavor to provide meaningful pathways to all students.
• Sometimes it's direct career pathway completion.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that gave pause to me attending graduate that gave pause to me attending graduate school.<00:36:
• UMR graduates<00:52:31.000> make<00:52:31.240> a<00:52:31.320> living graduates
• <00:53:04.360> and accelerating the time to graduation and accelerating the time to graduation
• Last year, over 30% of UMR graduates Last year, over 30% of UMR graduates completed<00:53:25.000
• To do this as affordably as possible, with pathways into advanced study in health, pathways into advanced

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Creating a new, less rigorous pathway for optometrists risks compromising patient safety.
• There's nobody graduating that doesn't have extensive training.
• It's a bipartisan bill in both chambers, establishing a new pathway for midwifery.
• I know that creating pathways to make that possible is really valuable.
• I appreciate finding some additional pathways to get there.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, all those other pathways are require a associate degree, but teacher pathway is the only one of
• teacher<00:04:07.920> pathway<00:04:08.400> is associate degree, but teacher pathway
• that are in the teacher pathway that are in the teacher pathway apprenticeship<00:04:18.880>
• <00:04:49.280> for creates a clear affordable pathway for creates a clear affordable pathway
• So it's not just a traditional student where it's graduate high school and go to college.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Regarding our Golden State Pathways program, we know that those dollars are out.
• In terms of the pathway programs, can you give us the status of the pathways?
• There are 13 collaboratives, and then numerous pathways from each one.
• inclusion in the Jobs First regional pathways.
• higher graduation rates and stronger transitions to college and careers.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance heard an overview of the governor’s new Career Education Master Plan and related budget items. Labor Secretary Knox described the plan as an effort to reduce fragmentation across K-12, community colleges, workforce boards, and other systems by improving statewide and regional coordination, data sharing, skills-based hiring, career pathways, and wraparound supports such as child care, housing, food, and transportation. Members asked how success would be measured, how the plan would serve disconnected youth and adults, and whether the proposed data integration would rely on Cradle to Career; the secretary said it would. The Department of Finance said it was available to answer questions on the education side. The committee then reviewed existing CTE funding and oversight. The LAO, CDE, and Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office described the major ongoing programs, including CTIG, Perkins, K-12 Strong Workforce, and Community College Strong Workforce, and noted that many programs overlap in purpose and administration. Members repeatedly raised concerns about duplication, annual applications and reporting burdens, lack of clear outcome metrics, and whether funding incentives should be better aligned to regional collaboration. CDE and the Chancellor’s Office said they support alignment and dual enrollment, and Finance and CDE said LCFF/local match dollars are part of the funding structure. The committee also discussed child care as a barrier to participation and the need for better tracking of enrollment, completion, and job outcomes. On the consolidated application proposal, Finance proposed a study directing CDE to examine whether three long-standing CTE grant programs—Specialized Secondary Programs, CTIG, and California Partnership Academies—could be streamlined into a single application and reporting process. The LAO supported reducing administrative burden but noted that the largest programs, CTIG and K-12 Strong Workforce, were excluded from the proposal even though districts most often cite them as burdensome. CDE said it did not oppose the study but warned that statutory differences may limit consolidation. Members said the proposal should better address regional coordination, multi-year funding stability, and outcome measures rather than only simplifying paperwork. Finally, the committee heard a proposal for a $5 million ongoing California Education Interagency Council. GovOps said the council would provide a neutral venue for statewide coordination across education and workforce systems. The LAO opposed the proposal, arguing that existing bodies already provide coordination, the proposal does not change agency incentives, and the council would lack authority to implement decisions. Members expressed mixed views, with some supporting a coordinating body and others questioning whether it would differ from past efforts. No votes were taken during the portions summarized here, and the committee indicated it would hold some items open for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• This innovative approach has enabled the Fort Worth region to establish career pathways that provide
• Those students can complete a pathway to earn a living wage.
• You're looking for permutations and best pathways based upon what student needs or interest.
• and best pathways based upon what student needs or interests they have.
• Many jobs, as well as internships, residency, and graduate programs, require law and medical school graduate

Summary: The Senate Education K-16 Committee heard Senate Bill 1961, which would expand reporting on post-secondary outcomes and workforce data, including employment, earnings, regional labor demand, and credentials of value. Senator Bettencourt said the bill is intended to close data gaps and improve alignment between education programs and workforce needs. Witnesses from Opportunity Austin, Texas 2036, Samsung Austin Semiconductor, and the Fort Worth workforce community testified in support, saying better data would help students, parents, schools, employers, and regional economic development efforts. After questions from members about regional workforce pipelines and semiconductor talent needs, public testimony closed and SB 1961 was left pending. The committee then took up several pending bills and reported them favorably, including SB 1325, SB 604, SB 1832, SB 747, SB 2185, and SB 2395, with committee substitutes adopted where needed. SB 1325 was amended to remove the DSHS commissioner’s authority to issue standing orders for respiratory distress medication in schools. SB 1832, relating to school transfer or private-school funding options for students victimized by a public school employee, and SB 747, relating to intimate visual material policies, were both advanced on recorded votes. SB 2185, on the bilingual education allotment, was initially moved to a local calendar but was later backed up and reported to the full Senate after a fiscal note was noted. SB 2395, on school district general obligation bonds, was also reported favorably and then moved to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also heard SB 646, which would expand the Mental Health Professional Loan Repayment Program to additional professions, increase award amounts, and add stipends for rural and bilingual service. Senator West said the bill responds to mental health workforce shortages and inflation. The Texas Counseling Association supported the measure, and a Hogg Foundation representative said participation has grown sharply since prior changes. SB 646 was left pending. The committee also heard SB 2647, which would create a Texas state accrediting agency and interim oversight system for higher education accreditors; supporters from the Texas Public Policy Foundation and a massage school owner argued it would improve accountability and reduce accreditor overreach, while Senator Menendez raised concerns about effects on law and medical school accreditation and student opportunities. SB 2647 was left pending. Finally, the committee heard SB 2786, which would exempt first responders from the Texas Success Initiative entrance exam, and SB 2615, which would standardize remote-work policies across public higher education institutions. The Texas State Association of Firefighters supported SB 2786, saying it would remove an extra step for career advancement; the bill was left pending because the committee substitute had not yet been adopted. SB 2615 was presented as a way to ensure more consistent in-person staffing expectations while preserving exceptions for illness, disability, and some non-teaching roles; it too was left pending. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a bipartisan bill in both chambers establishing a new pathway for midwifery in Minnesota.
• <00:05:05.039> Midwifery pursuing graduate Midwifery pursuing graduate Midwifery education
• Once eligible, I enrolled in graduate midwifery school and completed my degree this year.
• And I know that creating pathways to make that possible are really valuable.
• I appreciate finding some additional pathways to get there.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:19:58.559> optometrists less rigorous pathway for optometrists less rigorous pathway for
• > would<00:20:16.000> you To which training pathway would you To which training pathway
• <01:20:50.400> um spoken to who has used that pathway um spoken to who has used that pathway
• additional pathways to get there. additional pathways to get there.
• IMGs and American graduates to go IMGs and American graduates to go through<01:29:21.199> residency

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Some graduates of the program are making over $50,000 upon graduation in just under eight months.
• Some graduates of the program are making over $50,000 upon graduation in just under eight months.
• <01:10:32.800> with continue them uh on this pathway with continue them uh on this pathway
• <01:13:13.679> and cohort is preparing to graduate and cohort is preparing to graduate and
• <01:19:21.159> about Pathways program this is a pathway about Pathways program this is a pathway

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What do students need to have whenever they graduate?
• I do think that kids have different pathways to success.
• scores, because you talked about graduation.
• I do think that kids have different pathways to success.
• Pathways that kids can go to—that's a pathway that I would like to see explored within the Legislature

Summary: The subcommittee first heard an overview from Department of Education Chancellor Paul Burns on Florida’s K-12 governance structure and major divisions, including early learning, public schools, safe schools, school choice, and accountability. He highlighted school readiness and VPK, teacher preparation and licensure, school safety functions, scholarship and virtual/home education programs, and FAST progress monitoring. Burns also cited statewide gains such as higher mid-year reading performance, a record graduation rate of 89.7%, and record CTE enrollment, while members questioned the meaning of Florida’s “number one” education rankings, teacher pay, post-COVID learning loss, vacancies, and chronic absenteeism. St. Lucie County Superintendent John Prince then described the scale and responsibilities of a mid-sized district, emphasizing student safety, transportation, meals, hurricane shelter operations, career and technical education, teacher recruitment and retention, progress monitoring, remediation, and mental health supports. Members asked about school shelter construction standards, remediation funding, late school start times, attendance, and concordance scores; Prince argued for more flexibility for CTE pathways and noted that local districts use a mix of state and federal funds to support remediation and staffing. The committee then moved to an early warning systems panel. Burns explained that Florida law requires districts to use attendance, behavior/suspensions, course performance, FAST results, and other academic indicators to identify students needing support, with districts and families developing intervention plans. Superintendents from Putnam, St. Johns, and St. Lucie counties said chronic absenteeism is tied to achievement and NAEP decline, but causes vary by district, including poverty, transportation, daycare, family instability, travel, and student athletics. They described MTSS, PBIS, home visits, attendance letters, and community partnerships as responses. Members also discussed VPK access, full-day VPK funding, excused versus unexcused absences, and the need for earlier intervention in pre-K and K-2. Finally, Vice Chancellor Darren Norris outlined Florida’s post-Parkland school safety measures, including armed school officers, anonymous reporting, behavioral threat assessment teams, mental health training, panic alert systems, emergency drills, active assailant response policies, and firearm detection canines. Superintendents said compliance is costly and often requires shifting local funds, but they praised state grants for mental health, hardening, and mapping. They noted ongoing challenges with new mandates, capital costs, manual reporting burdens, and the need to balance safety requirements with classroom resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• mean to graduate from high school in Massachusetts.
• First, members, creating pathways for students to be future-focused through high-quality pathways and
• As the state is redesigning our graduation standards, as a co-chair of the governor's statewide graduation
• But the school where my son will graduate, 1% of his classmates will graduate with MassCorps—1% at the
• But the school where my son will graduate, 1% of his classmates will graduate with Mass Corps. 1% the

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was a Joint Committee on Ways and Means budget session held in Lawrence focused on the governor’s proposed FY27 education and local aid budget, with remarks from legislative co-chairs, local officials, and education agency leaders. Acting Mayor Giovanni Rodriguez and Superintendent Ralph Carrero emphasized Lawrence’s high-need student population, the importance of Chapter 70 and Student Opportunity Act funding, and the impact of state aid on schools serving many English learners and low-income families. Carrero highlighted Lawrence High School programs such as early college, dual degrees, career pathways, and early childhood classrooms embedded in the high school, while lawmakers introduced themselves and noted the importance of the hearing to their districts. Acting Secretary of Education Amy Kershaw, Commissioner of Higher Education Noi Ortega, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Pedro Martinez, and Commissioner of Early Education and Care Amy Kershaw outlined the administration’s FY27 priorities. They described investments in literacy initiatives, universal school meals, student mental health, early college and career pathways, higher education affordability, community college and university student-success supports, preschool expansion, child care subsidies, and workforce supports for early educators. The commissioners also discussed federal funding threats, equity gaps, and the administration’s efforts to improve outcomes for Black and brown students, multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and low-income students. Members questioned the panel about the local contribution formula study, the final year of Student Opportunity Act implementation, and the need to revisit Chapter 70 funding to better address rising costs such as special education, transportation, and health care. Officials said the local contribution study report is expected by the end of June, with a draft to be shared after data analysis and public comment. Commissioner Martinez said the Student Opportunity Act narrowed funding gaps but more work is needed, and he pointed to a proposed Accelerating Achievement Initiative to support the highest-need schools. Senator Oliveira also raised concerns about Chapter 70 disparities and asked about partnerships with libraries to support literacy, prompting discussion of broader early literacy collaboration.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Golden State Pathways program was delayed for a while.
• , a CTE pathway.
• In strengthening the education and training pathways.
• In terms of the pathway programs, can you give us the status of the pathways?
• We need to approve the K-16 pathway inclusion in the Jobs First regional pathways.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:08.959> legislation this year to date pathway legislation this year to date pathway
• creates a structured merit-based pathway creates a structured merit-based pathway for<00:16:36.639
• International Medical graduate International Medical graduate had<00:19:59.559> taken<00:
• International Medical Pathways for International Medical graduates<00:22:29.120> to<00:22:29.320
• <00:25:40.440> need states that all foreign graduates need states that all foreign graduates

Keywords: 1187, senate, all