(a) To prepare students for choosing a career option at the high school level, in grades six through eight (6-8), each public school district and open-enrollment public charter school shall incorporate career awareness and exploration activities that expose students to career and technical and academic fields of study, including without limitation the following:

1. (1) Field trips;
2. (2) Guest speakers;
3. (3) Community services;
4. (4) Dedicated curricula; and
5. (5) Other activities designed to introduce students to occupations that are found to be in demand in Arkansas.

(b)

1. (1) Each public school district and open-enrollment public charter school shall annually provide a minimum of four (4) career awareness and exploration activities for each student in grades six through eight (6-8).

2. (2)

   1. (A) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education will issue guidance annually on specific career awareness and exploration activities that are considered age-appropriate and scaffolded to support students and their families.
   2. (B) A public school district or open-enrollment public charter school shall ensure that students in grade six (6) experience activities that allow students to determine their interests and determine course acceleration opportunities aligned to their individual interests and available fields of study.
   3. (C) A public school district or open-enrollment public charter school shall ensure that students in grade seven (7) experience activities that allow them to:

(i) Select additional courses that could expose them to potential career and technical education and academic fields of study available to them in high school; and

1. (ii) Determine opportunities for further acceleration, if appropriate.

   1. (D) A public school district or open-enrollment public charter school shall ensure that students in grade eight (8) experience activities that allow them to complete a student success plan that outlines course choices toward their interests and selected pathway to a diploma.

   2. (E)

      1. (i) Every student shall be required to participate in a Career Awareness or Career Development course at least once during grades six through eight (6-8), and participation in the course may count toward the annually required four (4) career exploration activities.
      2. (ii)

(b) (b) The public school must continue to teach the Arkansas academic standards for each separate course that is combined.

1. (c) Each public school district and open-enrollment public charter school with an approved career-ready pathway shall annually conduct an informational meeting for the parents, legal guardians, and persons standing in loco parentis to students in grade eight (8) regarding the approved curriculum offered by the public school district or open-enrollment public charter school.