1. (a) A council may develop an alternative career, technical, or vocational educational curriculum for high school students in its region in order to do either of the following:

   1. (1) Offer those students opportunities to:

      1. (A) pursue internships and apprenticeships;
      2. (B) learn from qualified instructors; and

      3. (C) have a goal of:

         1. (i) earning an industry certification;
         2. (ii) earning credits toward an associate degree; or
         3. (iii) establishing a career pathway toward a high wage, high demand job that is available in the region.
   2. (2) Provide a career, technical, or vocational educational curriculum that is aligned with the workforce needs and training and education requirements of the region identified in the occupational demand report prepared by the department of workforce development under IC 22-4.1-4-10 .
2. (b) Before an alternative curriculum developed under subsection (a) may be offered, the state board shall approve the alternative curriculum.

As added by P.L.53-2013, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.141-2016, SEC.1.