The New Jersey Senate approved a bill on March 23 that would require state-issued School Performance Reports, known as school report cards, to include information about high school graduates who enter apprenticeships. The legislation, S-1773, is sponsored by Senator Troy Singleton and has the support of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA).
The measure aims to broaden how student outcomes are tracked after graduation. Currently, the Department of Education’s annual reports include data on college-bound students but do not specifically track those entering apprenticeships. NJBIA Vice President of Government Affairs Althea D. Ford said that expanding these metrics would better reflect postsecondary options for students.
“High-quality workforce training programs—offered through county colleges, vocational schools, nonprofit providers, and employer-led partnerships—are often the fastest and most effective pathway into in-demand jobs,” Ford said. She added that recognizing placement into these programs “validates the real-world outcomes that high schools are increasingly working to deliver and aligns accountability metrics with today’s labor market.”
Ford also said NJBIA will continue working with lawmakers to secure amendments so report cards also capture workforce training program placements. “A broader definition of postsecondary placement incentivizes stronger partnerships with employers and training providers and reflects the full range of options available to students,” she said.
“For graduates, it affirms that choosing a skills-based pathway is not a lesser outcome, but a credible, valued route to economic mobility,” Ford said. “With a modest amendment, S-1773 can better capture success, expand opportunity, and reflect how students truly move from classroom to career.”
The New Jersey Business and Industry Association serves as the nation’s largest statewide employer association representing private-sector employers throughout New Jersey according to its official website. The association advances competitive excellence for its members while providing advocacy services as well as practical information aimed at supporting business prosperity according to its official website. Michele Siekerka serves as president and chief executive officer according to its official website. The organization also facilitates partnerships among businesses, government entities, and academic institutions according to its official website.
