A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT directing local boards of education to adopt and implement policies that encourage high school to work partnerships.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Article to read:
"Article 9C.
"High School to Work Partnerships.
"§ 115C‑150.12.  High school to work partnerships.
(a)	Each local board of education shall adopt and implement a policy that encourages high schools and local businesses to partner and specifically target students who may not seek higher education and that facilitates high school to work partnerships. The policy shall include strategies on how to help these students successfully transition to work.
(b)	The policy shall provide for the following:
(1)	Local businesses shall be encouraged to work with local high schools to create opportunity for students to complete a job shadow, tour of the local business or clinic, and meet with employees. 
(2)	High schools shall designate a staff member to be the point person for local businesses to contact. If the person selected is a teacher, the teacher shall work with the principal to find time in the school day to contact businesses and opportunity for students. 
The high school shall include a variety of trades and skilled labor positions for students to interact with and shadow and shall encourage students who may be interested in a job shadowing opportunity to pursue and set up the job shadow. 
(3)	Provisions for students who are absent from school while doing a job shadow to make up the work."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law and applies beginning with the 2011‑2012 school year.