Public Act 094-0220
 
HB3646 Enrolled LRB094 07128 NHT 37281 b

    AN ACT concerning education.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
Vocational Academies Act.
 
    Section 5. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to integrate
workplace competencies and career and technical education with
core academic subjects.
 
    Section 10. Establishment. A school district, in
partnership with community colleges, local employers, and
community-based organizations, may establish a vocational
academy that is eligible for a grant under this Act if the
vocational academy meets all of the following requirements:
        (1) The vocational academy must have a minimum
    5-clock-hour day and be under the direct supervision of
    teachers.
        (2) The vocational academy must be a 2-year school
    within a school program for grades 10 through 12 that is
    organized around a career theme and operated as a
    business-education partnership.
        (3) The vocational academy must be a career-oriented
    program that uses the direct involvement of local employers
    to provide students with an education and the skills needed
    for employment.
        (4) The vocational academy must be a standards-based
    educational program that prepares students both
    academically and technically for entrance into
    postsecondary education or careers in a selected field.
        (5) The curriculum of the vocational academy must be
    based on the Illinois Learning Standards, and work-site
    training must provide students with learning experiences
    for entry-level employment in the local job market and
    lifelong learning skills for higher education.
 
    Section 15. Grants. Subject to appropriation or other
available federal or private funding, the State Board of
Education may provide grants to vocational academies that meet
the requirements of this Act.
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.