Section 21-203 - Academic and occupational concerns; career development; work experience(a) Career and technical education programs in the public schools shall: (1) Offer a sequence of academic and occupational courses, career development, and work experience to prepare students to begin careers and to pursue lifelong learning; and(2) Integrate academic knowledge and occupational competence to enable students to develop the critical thinking, problem solving, employability, and technical skills required to meet the workforce preparation and economic development needs of the 21st century.(b)(1) Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, career and technical education programs shall be aligned with the requirements of this section and the system implemented by the CTE Committee established under § 21-207 of this subtitle.(2) Beginning in fiscal year 2024, the adoption of programs relating to, and the provision of, career and technical education by county boards, the State Board, and community colleges shall be consistent with the system implemented by the CTE Committee.Amended by 2021 Md. Laws, Ch. 36,Sec. 3, eff. 3/12/2021.