On July 24, 2024, Governor DeWine signed S.B. 168 which seeks to relax burdensome regulations for schools. The law which becomes effective on October 21, 2024, contains a provision that should be of particular interest to career-technical centers. After that date, such programs must permit students in early childhood preparation programs to receive pay for hours worked completing their required training or field experience hours.
Specifically, new RC 3345.205 covers “early childhood teacher preparation programs,” including those based in career-technical centers, joint vocational school districts, comprehensive career-technical centers, and compact career-technical centers. The act provides that early childhood teacher preparation programs that result in credentials such as a child development associate certification or college degrees shall permit a student of that program to complete required student training as paid employees. The provision mandates that such programs may not prohibit students from being paid.
What this means for CTCs: As the school year begins and before the legislation becomes effective, career-technical centers should review their policies to make certain that they are compliant.