(a)    On or before December 1, 2017, the State Board, in consultation with the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation and the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, shall establish, for each year for 2018 through 2024, inclusive, statewide goals that reach 45% by January 1, 2025, for the percentages of high school students who, prior to graduation:

(1)    Complete a career and technical education (CTE) program;

(2)    Earn industry–recognized occupational or skill credentials; or

(3)    Complete a registered youth or other apprenticeship.

(b)    On or before December 1, 2017, the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center and the Governor’s Workforce Development Board shall develop annual income earnings goals for high school graduates who have not earned at least a 2–year college degree by age 25.

(c)    On or before December 1, 2017, the State Board shall develop a method to consider a student’s attainment of a State–approved industry credential or completion of an apprenticeship program as equivalent to earning a score of 3 or better on an Advanced Placement examination for purposes of the Maryland Accountability Program established by the Department if the student:

(1)    (i)    Was enrolled in the State–approved CTE program at the concentrator level or higher; and

(ii)    Successfully earned the credential aligned with the State–approved CTE program; or

(2)    Successfully completed a youth or other apprenticeship training program approved by the Maryland Apprenticeship Training Council in accordance with § 11–405 of the Labor and Employment Article.

(d)    On or before December 1, 2017, and December 1 of each year thereafter, the State Board shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the progress, by high school and community college, toward attaining the goals established by the State Board in accordance with subsection (a) of this section and the goals established under subsection (b) of this section.