Members of the Senate Education Committee passed a bill that provides information regarding technical institutes be given to parents and guardians of students in middle and high schools. Each year, school districts give a list of names and addresses of students to the Board of Regents, used to send information about preparation for college. House Bill 1072 allows postsecondary technical institutes to receive student information as well. Proponents say it helps students know what is available, and helps keep them in state. Senator Mike Vehle is a prime sponsor of the legislation.
“You know this gives both the universities and the tech schools the opportunity to tell our students what all the opportunities are available to them in our post graduate system in South Dakota,” Vehle says. “And I think one of the reasons we felt that was necessary, is we all know the problem we have in a lack of skilled workforce that is developed by the tech schools. And we just felt this was a gap that needed to be plugged.”
There were no opponents, and the measure passed unanimously. It now heads to the Senate floor for further debate.