RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – The North Carolina General Assembly has given new Gov. Pat McCrory an
early legislative victory that builds on his education campaign platform last
year.
The House gave overwhelming final approval Wednesday to a bill creating
new kinds of high school diplomas and course plans that emphasize vocational or
career paths that don't require four-year college degrees.
"This is a
great bill for education and jobs training in North Carolina," House Speaker
Thom Tillis (R-Mecklenburg) said in an email statement. "High school students will be given more
job-specific training, and their diploma designation will better prepare them
for college or the workforce. I am proud
of the bipartisan support the bill has earned."
The measure tells the State Board of Election to issue diplomas
beginning in the 2014-15 school year to carry new seals endorsing graduates as
"career ready," ''college ready" or both. The board would report
to an oversight committee by early next year on its plans.
The bipartisan bill also tells the state board to re-examine teacher
licensing rules for career and technical fields.
McCrory has been
a strong proponent of re-emphasizing vocational education.
Copyright 2013 WECT. Material from the Associated Press was used
in this report.
