(a) The Division of Career and Technical Education shall recognize valid and reliable technical skills assessments that provide evaluation of students' knowledge and skills necessary for entry into postsecondary education or a career in a selected program of study.
(b) The technical skills assessment shall:
(1)
(A) Be a third-party, industry-recognized assessment approved by the division that is based on current industry standards.
(B)
(i) The division shall provide a current list of approved third-party, industry-recognized assessments.
(ii) The third-party, industry-recognized assessments shall be reviewed and approved by the division using a process developed by the division;
(2) Measure student attainment of technical skill proficiencies during a student's career and technical education program of study;
(3)
(A) Incorporate performance-based assessment measures that demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills, to the extent possible.
(B) A student who successfully completes a technical skills assessment may receive secondary credit, postsecondary credit, and special designation on the student's high school diploma; and
(4)
(A) Be used as a tool to evaluate the quality of career and technical education programs of study in secondary schools.
(B) The division shall provide technical assistance on career and technical education to secondary administrators and teachers.