Existing law mandates that school districts determine the school day’s length, adhering to specific conditions. In continuation high schools and education classes, attendance for a school day is defined as 180 minutes, with students not credited for more than 15 hours per week, adjusted for weeks with holidays.
AB 542 allows school districts with continuation high schools to offer youth workforce development programs once or twice a week. These programs can be offered if students are enrolled in at least 15 hours of class each week. Additionally, school districts must establish methods to monitor student attendance and participation in these programs.
For purposes of this bill, “youth workforce development programs” means a program implemented by a continuation high school or school offering continuation education classes, under the supervision of a certificated employee, which enables pupils to earn either academic credit or an industry certificate while engaging in workplace experiences, or workforce development training, to provide the pupils with the skills and experience necessary to obtain employment at a livable wage following graduation. The bill includes additional criteria that must be met by the youth workforce development program. The bill defines “supervision” to mean pupil participation in paid or unpaid on-the-job experiences wherein the supervisor of the training site and certificated school personnel share the responsibility for the supervision of on-the-job experiences.
(AB 542 amends Section 46170 of the Education Code.)