Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication, and Creativity for Careers Act” or the “Four C’s for Careers Act”.
Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication, and Creativity for Careers Act
A BILL
To amend the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to deliver high-quality career and technical education opportunities, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Delivering high-quality career and technical education opportunities
Section 135 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2355) is amended—
in subsection (b)—
in paragraph (3), by striking “an industry, which may include work-based learning experiences;” and inserting “a range of industries identified through effective and sustained business and community partnerships, including work-based learning experiences;”;
in paragraph (5)—
by inserting “induction programs (as the term is defined in section 200 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1021)), as well as preparation and” after “provide”; and
in subparagraph (A)—
in clause (iii) by striking “; and” and inserting a semicolon; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(v) teaching high-quality dual and concurrent enrollment career and technical education programs that are designed to expand opportunities for students to earn postsecondary credit and relevant certifications;
“(vi) encouraging best practices among communities of practitioners, including using blended learning programs (as such term is defined in section 4102 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7112)); and
“(vii) strategies for improving the critical thinking, communications, collaboration, and creativity skills of students participating in career and technical education programs;”
in paragraph (7), by inserting “, such as developing and using open educational resources and creating physical environments that support student engagement” after “relevant technology”;
in paragraph (8) by striking “and” at the end;
in paragraph (9) by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and
by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
“(10) train career guidance and academic counselors to effectively use labor market information in assisting students with postsecondary education and career planning;
“(11) support public private partnerships designed to provide students with the credentials and skills required to secure employment in relevant fields; and
“(12) if determined appropriate by the local educational agency, support programs that coordinate and integrate—
“(A) academic and career and technical education content through coordinated instructional strategies, which may include experiential learning opportunities and promoting skills necessary for in-demand occupations or industries in the State in which such local educational agency is located; and
“(B) work-based learning opportunities that provide students with in-depth interaction with industry professionals and, if appropriate, academic credit.”
in subsection (c)—
in paragraph (19)(D) by striking “and”;
in paragraph (20) by striking the period and inserting “; and”; and
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
“(21) to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to identify the strategies, tools, and resources required for promoting greater engagement and coordination with business and industry, including exploring the unique technology, transportation, and other special needs of rural and low-income communities.”
Sec. 3 Promoting critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity
The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.) is amended—
in section 3(5)(B) (20 U.S.C. 2302(5)(B))—
by inserting “, creativity, communication, ” after “reasoning”; and
by inserting “collaboration skills, ” after “employability skills,”;
in section 113(b)(2)(C) (20 U.S.C. 2323(b)(2)(C)), by inserting “and acquisition of critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity skills” after “self-sufficiency”; and
in section 122(c)(7) (20 U.S.C. 2342(c)(7))—
in subparagraph (B) by striking “and” at the end;
in subparagraph (C) by inserting “and” after the semicolon; and
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
“(D) improve the critical thinking, communications, collaboration, and creativity skills of students participating in career and technical education programs, including by—
“(i) integrating such skills into coursework through project-based learning;
“(ii) building the capacity of educators to teach such skills; and
“(iii) providing ongoing support to help students achieve such skills;”