A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to require local school administrative units to REORGANIZE all high schools that have a high dropout rate.
Whereas, the graduation rate for all high schools for the 2007‑2008 school year was less than 71%; and
Whereas, by comparison, there was a graduation rate of more than 86.5% for students who took a four‑credit concentration in Career and Technical Education; and
Whereas, over the past decade, student surveys revealed that students who enrolled in Career and Technical Education said their opportunity to take courses in Career and Technical Education was a main reason they stayed in school; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 115C‑47 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(38a)	To reorganize high schools with a high dropout rate. – Local boards of education shall reorganize all high schools that have a graduation rate of less than sixty percent (60%) for two consecutive years. The new design shall include at least five of the 16 career clusters recognized by the United States Department of Education. Each career cluster shall include a four‑unit career and technical concentration, with at least one course at an advanced level. Virtual school and work experience courses related to the career cluster may be used to meet the concentration requirement.
Each year, school counselors or other faculty members shall make information about the career clusters, educational requirements, and career outlook available to all eighth and ninth grade students.
The General Assembly strongly encourages these schools to establish career and technical student organizations related to the career clusters they offer."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.