STATEHOUSE (Feb. 6, 2018) – A bill that would require schools to include interdisciplinary employability skills standards in their curriculum recently passed out of the Senate by a vote of 48-0, said State Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond).
Senate Bill 297 would provide that each school within a school corporation shall include interdisciplinary employability skills standards established by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) with approval by the Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) by July 1, 2019.
“In order for Hoosier students to be competitive and thrive in the workplace, they need to have soft skills like problem solving, adaptability and resilience, and know the importance of showing up to work on time,” Raatz said. “As a state, we need to prioritize this within our education system. Students need to have these skills to be better prepared for the future workplace.”
SB 297 would also require the DWD to establish standards that provide students with career and college planning resources under the Indiana Career Explorer Program.
The SBOE, in consultation with the IDOE and the DWD, would also be able to approve an alternative Internet-based system and standards.
In addition, SB 297 would establish the Work Ethic Certificate Program and fund. It would require the DWD to administer the program.
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
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Contact: Lauren Beatty, Press Secretary
Lauren.Beatty@iga.in.gov
317-234-9221
Savannah Kerstiens, Press Secretary Intern
Savannah.Kerstiens@iga.in.gov
