(a)    In this section, “Council” means the Governor’s P–20 Leadership Council of Maryland.

(b)    (1)    There is a Governor’s P–20 Leadership Council of Maryland.

(2)    The Council is a partnership between the State, educators, and the business community to better prepare Maryland students for the jobs of the 21st century while enhancing the State’s economic competitiveness by creating a workforce with 21st century skills.

(c)    The Council shall consist of the following members:

(1)    The Governor or the Governor’s designee;

(2)    The Secretary of Higher Education;

(3)    The Secretary of Labor;

(4)    The Secretary of Commerce;

(5)    The Chancellor of the University System of Maryland;

(6)    The State Superintendent of Schools;

(7)    The Chairman of the Maryland Higher Education Commission;

(8)    The Chair and the Executive Director of the Governor’s Workforce Development Board;

(9)    Two members of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

(10)    Two members of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate; and

(11)    The following members appointed by the Governor:

(i)    A member of the State Board of Education;

(ii)    A representative of local superintendents of education;

(iii)    A representative of local boards of education;

(iv)    Two members of employee organizations that represent elementary and secondary school personnel in the State;

(v)    A representative of elementary and secondary school principals;

(vi)    Two representatives of nonpublic elementary and secondary schools;

(vii)    An expert in early childhood education;

(viii)    An expert in career and technology education;

(ix)    Two representatives of community colleges;

(x)    Two representatives of independent colleges or universities;

(xi)    A representative of public institutions of higher education outside the University System of Maryland;

(xii)    A representative of college or university deans who has responsibility for a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) discipline;

(xiii)    Four representatives of the University System of Maryland;

(xiv)    A representative of a for–profit institution of higher education;

(xv)    Three representatives of the business community; and

(xvi)    Six additional members with experience and knowledge that will benefit the work of the Council.

(d)    The Governor or the Governor’s designee shall chair the Council.

(e)    Members of the Council appointed by the Governor shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

(f)    A member of the Council may not receive compensation as a member of the Council, but is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.

(g)    (1)    There is an Executive Committee of the Council that shall direct the Council in its work.

(2)    The Executive Committee shall include the following members:

(i)    The Governor or the Governor’s designee;

(ii)    The Secretary of Higher Education;

(iii)    The Secretary of Labor;

(iv)    The Secretary of Commerce;

(v)    The Chancellor of the University System of Maryland; and

(vi)    The State Superintendent of Schools.

(h)    (1)    The Council may establish other committees or task forces as are necessary to accomplish its work.

(2)    A committee or task force may include as a member an individual who is not a Council member.

(i)    The Council shall investigate ways to improve education, advance workforce creation, and make the State more competitive through some or all of the following strategies:

(1)    Ensuring that all students have the basic, critical thinking, and technical skills necessary to succeed in the modern workplace;

(2)    Reducing dropout rates and increasing retention and graduation rates in high school and college;

(3)    Improving student achievement and closing student achievement gaps;

(4)    Improving teaching quality;

(5)    Improving teacher retention;

(6)    Strengthening and expanding educational leadership programs;

(7)    Redesigning career and technology education programs to meet college expectations and employer needs;

(8)    Expanding the availability of career and technology programs and high school centers;

(9)    Strengthening STEM programs at the high school and college levels;

(10)    Connecting high school expectations and college expectations with employer needs;

(11)    Creating pathways for all students to obtain college degrees;

(12)    Providing teachers the resources and professional training they need to help students reach higher standards;

(13)    Expanding opportunities for continuous learning;

(14)    Aligning high school graduation requirements with college readiness requirements;

(15)    Improving the connections between the prekindergarten, primary, secondary, and higher education systems;

(16)    Creating programs and incentives to encourage mutually beneficial relationships between schools, school systems, higher education, and the business community;

(17)    Ensuring college and career readiness and college completion strategies are implemented; and

(18)    Any other strategies requested by the Governor or General Assembly.

(j)    Members of the Executive Committee shall provide the primary staff support necessary for the Council.

(k)    The Council shall meet at least quarterly at such times and places as it determines.

(l)    (1)    The Council shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on or before December 15 of each year.

(2)    The report shall set forth any recommendations from the Council and summarize the Council’s activities during the preceding year.

(m)    By December 1, 2014, and every 2 years thereafter, the Council shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the progress of implementing college and career readiness and college completion strategies established in §§ 7–205.1, 11–207, 11–209, 15–114 through 15–117, and Title 18, Subtitle 14A of this article.