Continuation schools and classes: youth workforce development programs.

Assembly Member Celeste Rodriguez's legislation enables continuation schools to incorporate workforce development programs into their educational offerings, allowing students to participate in supervised workplace experiences up to two days per week while maintaining minimum classroom attendance requirements.

The measure permits school district governing boards to establish youth workforce development programs that combine academic credit or industry certification opportunities with hands-on workplace training. Students must maintain at least 15 hours of weekly classroom attendance alongside their workforce program participation. School districts implementing these programs must create systems to track both classroom attendance and workforce program engagement.

Under the bill's provisions, workforce development programs require supervision from certificated school employees and workplace supervisors, who share oversight responsibilities for students' on-the-job experiences. Programs must align with in-demand careers and provide both technical and interpersonal skills training through partnerships with community colleges, adult education programs, regional occupational centers, or organizations offering industry-recognized certifications. The bill encourages districts to prioritize programs culminating in industry-recognized credentials.