VOICE Act of 2005

The Vocational Opportunities and Instruction through Cooperative Education (VOICE) Act of 2005 proposed a federal partnership to establish model "school-to-work" programs for high school students. Under this bill, participating students would receive academic credit for part-time work experiences in the public or private sector while being guaranteed at least the federal minimum wage. To qualify, students would be required to maintain a 2.0 grade point average, have a satisfactory attendance record, and have no criminal background. The program would limit work hours to 20 per week to ensure that employment does not interfere with a student's primary education.