Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – March 5, 2026 − Following today’s budget hearing with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) announced that introduce legislation that will assist remove barriers to career and technical education (CTE) programs across the state.
“Our CTE programs across the state are bursting at the seams, and too many students are placed on waitlists, unable to participate in educational programs that will advance their careers,” said Senator Williams. “One of my top priorities as Minority Chair of the Senate Education Committee is to reduce career and technology barriers and ensure more students have access to these amazing programs.”
Currently, CTE students are required to take final exams, called NOCTI exams, in their senior year, regardless of when they finish coursework. This means that a student who has graduated and is ready to take exams before his senior year must wait to take the exam, unnecessarily delaying the exam and holding him up in a seat that could be open to another student.
These regulations allow students to take the NOCTI exam after completing coursework. Students can then continue their studies on the job or gain additional industry-recognized qualifications, freeing up an additional place for the incoming student.
“Allowing students to take NOCTI exams earlier will result in more efficient use of school time and more efficient use of space in our Career and Technical Education Centers,” said Senator Williams. “It will also give us a chance to reimagine what senior year looks like for students. This includes opportunities to participate in pre-apprenticeship programs, internships or additional industry certifications that will give our students an edge in the future.”
You can watch a video of Senator Williams and Pennsylvania Department of Education Secretary Carrie Rowe discussing career and technical education funding and the provisions at issue during today’s hearing Here.
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