S257 - Appropriations Act of 2017. (SL 2017-57)

Overview: S.L. 2017-57, Sec. 9.11 establishes the 10-member Board of Postsecondary Education Credentials (Board), which expires June 30, 2019. The purpose of the Board is to review and make recommendations regarding a statewide system of postsecondary education that links industry, corporations, and businesses in this State with educators, government, and community organizations to identify workforce skills and training needs and to ensure that appropriate courses of study and vocational training are available to North Carolinians. Additionally, the Board must identify alternative ways people can gain workforce skills and experience, outside of four-year or two-year degrees. The Board must review and make recommendations on the criteria to be used to determine the value of non-degree credentials, the competencies they represent, and how they should be compared and valued with regard to other types of postsecondary credentials.

The Board must have its first meeting no later than October 1, 2017. The initial report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee must be turned in by March 1, 2018, and a progress report must be submitted by March 1, 2019. The reports must include any recommendations regarding legislation needed.

This section became effective July 1, 2017.