Nixon signs career, technical education measure into law

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon signed a career-and-technical-education (CTE) bill into law Monday that will create a state certificate program high-school students would receive for completing specialized, vocational training courses.

State Sen. Gary Romine, R-Farmington, sponsored the legislation. State Rep. Kathy Swan, R-Cape Girardeau, drafted similar legislation and handled passage of the Senate bill on the House floor.

The law authorizes the Missouri Board of Education to consult with a newly formed advisory council to establish minimum requirements for a CTE certificate.

“A CTE certificate signifies employable skills and empowers students who don’t choose to go to college or want the opportunity to get a job and earn their way there. A CTE certificate recognizes that all Missouri students have a chance to choose the pathway that’s right for them,”Swan said.

Nixon also signed legislation sponsored by Swan that replaces the term “guidance counselor” with “school counselor” throughout existing sections of elementary and secondary education law in Missouri.