Amends TCA Title 49.

This bill requires each state college of applied technology to contract with each LEA that is located in the county in which the state college of applied technology is located to offer the students enrolled in a high school in the LEA the opportunity to complete at least one of the programs available at the state college of applied technology by a student's graduation from high school. The contracts must be entered by the 2023-2024 school year. This bill requires LEAs to provide notice of such programs to students in the same manner that LEAs are required to provide notice of other early college and career opportunities under present law. This bill also encourages the board of regents to establish a state college of applied technology in each county within this state to expand career and technical opportunities. ON MARCH 3, 2022, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 13956, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites this bill to require, by the 2023-2024 school year, each state college of applied technology to establish partnerships with each LEA that is located in the county in which the main campus of the state college of applied technology is located to provide early postsecondary opportunities for students enrolled in a high school in the LEA. Early postsecondary opportunities may include, but are not limited to, dual enrollment, dual credit, a middle college program, or any combination thereof. Early postsecondary opportunities may be provided through traditional classroom instruction, online or virtual instruction, blended learning, or other educationally appropriate methods. This amendment encourages the board of regents to expand the presence of state colleges of applied technology in each county within this state to provide greater early post-secondary opportunities for students enrolled in a high school in an LEA, including offering non-credit training, courses, and programs, when practicable.