                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

INSTRUCTION CONCERNING POST-GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS (§
22.1-206.2)

A. As used in this section, &#8220;institution of higher education&#8221; means
each public institution of higher education and each private institution of
higher education, as those terms are defined in &#xA7; 23.1-100.

B. The Department shall collect and distribute to school boards and publicly
post on its website information that assists high school students in making more
informed decisions about their futures after graduating from high school and in
doing so ensure that such students are aware of the costs and benefits of
different educational and certificate programs. The Department shall annually
collect and compile such information in consultation with the State Council of
Higher Education for Virginia (the Council) and any other entity that can assist
the Department with collecting and compiling such information and shall update
its distribution materials accordingly each year. The Department shall post and
distribute the information to school boards, with any relevant updates, no later
than October 1 each year, and shall provide an annual update to the General
Assembly on how such information was distributed. Each school board shall ensure
that the information is readily available to each high school student and
distributed to each high school student who expresses an interest in attending
an institution of higher education or completing another training program
described in this section. Information to be collected shall include:

   1. To the extent available from the Council or other entities or sources, the
   most in-demand occupations in the Commonwealth, including entry wages and
   common degree levels required or encouraged for entering such occupations, and
   lists of offerings at institutions of higher education that offer such
   programs.

   2. The average cost of institutions of higher education, set out by type of
   institution.

   3. The federal and state scholarship, merit, and need-based aid programs
   available to students for attending institutions of higher education.

   4. To the extent available from the Council or other entities or sources, the
   average monthly student loan payment and the average total amount of student
   loans for individuals who attend institutions of higher education, with such
   information distinguished by type of institution, to the extent that the
   Department and the Council can determine such information.

   5. To the extent available from the Council or other entities or sources, the
   average student loan default rate for students who attend institutions of
   higher education, to the extent that the Department and the Council can
   determine such information.

   6. To the extent available from the Council or other entities or sources,
   information relating to the availability of paid internship and externship
   opportunities for students attending institutions of higher education with
   such information distinguished by major or area of study.

   7. The average time that it takes to complete degrees offered by institutions
   of higher education.

   8. Median annual wages for individuals who graduate from institutions of
   higher education, distinguished by degree level.

   9. To the extent available from the Council or other entities or sources, the
   average starting salary for individuals who complete career and technical
   education programs in the Commonwealth.

   10. The contact information for each institution of higher education.

   11. To the extent available from the Council or other entities or sources,
   information regarding the degree to which any institutions of higher education
   that accept public funding align their curricula or programs with the state
   job market, including the degree to which they contribute to filling the most
   in-demand jobs in the Commonwealth. The information in this subdivision shall
   also be included in the annual report sent to the General Assembly described
   in this subsection.

   12. Any other information that the Department or the Council deem appropriate
   to assist high school students in weighing the costs and benefits of
   post-high-school training and education.

HISTORY: 2022, cc. 343, 344.