Topeka ? Steve Abrams, a former chairman of the State Board of Education and now a state senator, wants to enact a law that would place students into career and technical education paths starting in the sixth grade.

Abrams, R-El Dorado, said this will make school more relevant for students and help them focus on what they want to do when they grow up.

He said most students now are bored and just coasting through school, especially in high school.

For example, he said a student who is drifting in a trigonometry class may be able absorb the subject in a welding class. “You need trigonometry to be a good welder,” he said.

Under Abrams’ plan, every student starting in the sixth grade would have an individual career plan after taking a career assessment test. The plan would be developed by the student, parents and a Career Development Facilitator. The plan would be reviewed every year to determine whether any adjustments were needed.

Abrams said he will push for passage of the proposal during the 2011 legislative session, which starts in January.

Missing from Abrams’ plan, however, is how much it would cost.

He said he didn’t want to get into that until the Legislature made the policy decision of whether to change the school curriculum to his plan.

“If the answer is yes, the discussion of money has to occur,” he said.

Several legislators have expressed interest in the measure.

“It’s a proposal whose time has come,” said Sen. Bob Marshall, R-Fort Scott. He said it would be especially helpful to students in rural areas.

Rep. Owen Donohoe, R-Shawnee, said he believed it would increase the number of students who eventually open small businesses.

“It has tremendous potential,” he said.