A legislative bill sponsored in part by Kissimmee Rep. Kristen Arrington requiring school guidance counselors advise public middle and high school students of all educational opportunities available, including technical and trade education programs, passed on the floor of the House of Representatives, by unanimous vote.
House Bill 141, the Guidance Services on Academic and Career Planning Bill, had its second reading last week, with an addition, and should be ready for a vote during this last week of session. Language about the Florida Ready to Work program, a state-sponsored essential skills training and employability training program, was added.
Companion Senate Bill 196, filed by Sen. Shevrin Jones (D-Miami), was heard on the Senate floor last Wednesday.
“This legislation will ensure all students and their parents know of the education pathways available close to home post- graduation-- besides a traditional university education,” Arrington said. “Additionally, this information must be presented in a language understandable to both parties so they can make the best decisions for their future. Senator Jones is passionate about our students and their education opportunities; I am looking forward to working with him to get this legislation across the finish line during the 2023 session.”
Arrington had worked on this bill in her prior two state House sessions, but it never advanced through the Senate.
“It made it (this time) thanks to being a priority of leadership,” she said. “We’ve just got to get the Governor to sign it, but it has lots of support.”
It comes on the heels of Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. commemorating February as Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month in the state.
Arrington is working to make programs that have already been in place in Osceola County available statewide. According to Anthony Cook, the Osceola County School District’s College and Career Counseling Coordinator, said school counseling departments throughout the district are already putting this into practice.
“Our College and Career platform Xello already supports this initiative,” he said. “But it’s exciting to think that students statewide will be able to experience this thanks to the legislation.”
A second bill Arrington also brought forth that expands an overlay district that allowed certain eating establishments to serve alcohol in the downtown Kissimmee Redevelopment District to expand to the Vine Street Community Redevelopment District.
The bill, which passed the House unanimously, will now be sent to the Senate for approval before heading to the Governor’s desk for signature.
“I am pleased to help small businesses of our Historic Downtown and to serve the people of District 46,” Arrington said.
