CTE Bill is Amended and Recommended for Reporting

Del. Greason’s CTE bill (HB 1493) was amended in subcommittee, at the patron’s request, to apply only to automotive programs. The bill, as amended, would require that every automotive career and technical education program maintain industry certification and that the instructor of such program be certified. According to testimony from the bill’s supporters, only about 48 of the approximately 120 automotive CTE programs in the state currently carry the industry certification. During the subcommittee meeting, Senator Ruff extracted a promise from the representatives of the Virginia Auto Dealers Association to work with school divisions to enable them to obtain and maintain certification for their programs and personnel. The bill, as amended, was recommended for reporting by the Public Education Subcommittee of the Senate Education and Health Committee.