Career & Technical Education (CTE) Created by: The University of North Texas in partnership with the Texas Education Agency Special Thanks to Jacqueline

Career & Technical Education Career & Technical Education (CTE)(CTE)Created by: The University of North Texas in partnership

with the Texas Education Agency Special Thanks to Jacqueline Kennedy for her work

on this professional development module.

What is Career and Technical Education?“Career and technical education is a large and diverse

educational enterprise spanning both secondary and

postsecondary education. It encompasses a

tremendous number of programs designed to prepare

students for employment and for living” (Scott, J. L.,

& Sarkees-Wircenski, M.,2004, p. 2).

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved.

History of the Legislation1917: Smith-Hughes Act

1963: The Vocational Education Act of 1963; Amended (’68, ’72, & ’76)

1984: The Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act

1990: The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act (Perkins II)

1998: The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act (Perkins III)

2006: The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins IV)


Funding Source

Carl D. Perkins federal funding supports Career and

Technical Education to improve curriculum and

technology, and provide opportunities for students in

grades 9-12 to pursue specific career and technical

training of their choice.


High School Reform

“American high schools are obsolete. By obsolete, I mean that our high schools, even when they are working exactly as designed, cannot teach our kids what they need to know today. Training the workforce of tomorrow with high schools of today is like trying to teach kids about today’s computers on a 50-year-old mainframe. It’s the wrong tool for the times.”

-Bill Gates, Founder and Chairman, Microsoft Corp.


New vs. Old

Then (Vocational) Now (CTE)For some students For all students

For a few jobs For all careers

6 to 7 program areas 16 clusters; 81 programs of study

In lieu of academics Aligns and supports academics

High school focused High school and college partnerships


Purpose of Career and Technical EducationPast Purpose:

To prepare students for entry-level jobs in occupations requiring less than a 4-year degree.

Current Purpose:

To provide individuals with coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in current or emerging professions.(Source: Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006)


CTE EmphasisCTE programs lead directly to entry-level employment and postsecondary education/training. Increased emphasis is placed on preparing all CTE students with higher-level technical and academic skills.

CTE programs help students achieve academic success, experience increases in earnings and improved employment outcomes, reduce dropout and absentee rates, and achieve postsecondary success.

(Source: http://www.acteonline.org/policy/legislative_issues/upload/Competitiveness.pdf)


Texas MissionThe mission of CTE in Texas is based on the

understanding that a rigorous academic foundation

contributes to success in school and life, that all

students are entitled to equal educational

opportunities, and that CTE programs complement and

enhance academic preparation by enabling students to

apply academic principles and technical skills essential

for career success (NASDCTEC).


Texas State Profile

Public High Schools: 1,704Students in Public High Schools: 1,491,851

Total number of CTE Students: 1,491,851 • Secondary Students Enrolled in CTE: 1,053,917 • Postsecondary Students Enrolled in CTE: 437,934

(Sources: http://www.acteonline.org/resource_center/TX_profile.cfm)


AchieveTexas“AchieveTexas is designed to help students (and their parents) make wise education choices. It is based on the belief that the curricula of the 21st century should combine rigorous academics with relevant career education. When

schools integrate academic and technical education,

students can see the “usefulness” of what they are

learning. The system also facilitates a seamless

transition from secondary to postsecondary opportunities.”

(Source: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/curriculum/achievetexas/index.html )

So where do Career Clusters fit in? What are they?

• Career Clusters are groupings of occupations and industries

• A Program of Study (POS) is the plan to get students from high school entry to success in careers and postsecondary education (Also known as a Career Pathway or Plan of Study)


16 Career Clusters


Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources• Food Products and Processing Systems• Plant Systems• Animal Systems• Power, Structural & Technical Systems• Natural Resources Systems• Environmental Service Systems• Agribusiness Systems

Programs of Study


Architecture & Construction

• Design/Pre-Construction• Construction

• Maintenance/Operations Programs of Study


Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications• Audio & Video Technology & Film• Printing Technology• Visual Arts• Performing Arts• Journalism & Broadcasting

• Telecommunications

Programs of Study


Business, Management & Administration• Management• Business Financial Management &

Accounting• Human Resources• Business Analysis• Marketing • Administrative & Information Support

Programs of Study


Education & Training

• Administration & Administrative Support• Professional Support Services• Teaching/Training Programs of

Study


Finance

• Financial & Investment Planning• Business Financial Management• Banking & Related Services• Insurance Services

Programs of Study


Government & Public Administration• Governance• National Security• Foreign Service• Planning• Revenue & Taxation• Regulation• Public Management & Administration

Programs of Study


Health Science

• Therapeutic Services• Diagnostic Services• Health Informatics• Support Services

• Biotechnology Research & Development

Programs of Study


Hospitality & Tourism

• Restaurants & Food/Beverage Services• Lodging• Travel & Tourism• Recreation, Amusements & Attractions

Programs of Study


Human Services

• Early Childhood Development & Services• Counseling & Mental Health Services• Family & Community Services• Personal Care Services• Consumer Services

Programs of Study


Information Technology

• Network Systems• Information Support & Services• Interactive Media• Programming & Software Development

Programs of Study


Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security• Correction Services• Emergency & Fire Management Services• Security & Protective Services• Law Enforcement Services• Legal Services

Programs of Study


Manufacturing

• Production• Manufacturing Production Process Development• Maintenance, Installation & Repair• Quality Assurance• Logistics & Inventory Control• Health, Safety and Environmental Assurance

Programs of Study


Marketing, Sales & Service

• Management & Entrepreneurship• Professional Sales & Marketing• Buying and Merchandising• Marketing Communications & Promotion• Marketing Information Management &

Research• Distribution & Logistics• E-Marketing

Programs of Study


Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics• Engineering and Technology• Science and Math

Programs of Study


Transportation, Distribution & Logistics• Transportation Operations• Logistics Planning & Management Services• Warehousing & Distribution Center Operations• Facility & Mobile Equipment Maintenance• Transportation Systems/Infrastructure Planning,

Management & Regulation • Health, Safety & Environmental Management• Sales & Service

Programs of Study


Program of Study (POS)

Every student prepares a personalized graduation plan

in middle school to plan for grades 9–16 and beyond.

The student chooses a Career Cluster and Program of

Study to guide his or her learning in the context of

personal career interests. A student’s program of study

should be evaluated and updated annually.


1. Nationally recognized logos identify the Career Cluster for each model.

Sample Program of Study

(AchieveTexas: Lifelong Success for All Students, Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2006.)





2. Identifies an overview of the cluster and career goals.

3. Suggested coursework to complete while in high school.




4. Attainable future careers and optional postsecondary programs for students.




5. Suggestions of curricular and extracurricular activities.




6. Identifies cluster-related professional associations.




CTE Delivery Models

• In-school• Work-based Learning• Tech Prep• Dual Credit• Academies


CTE Summation CTE is about helping students, workers and lifelong learners of all ages fulfill their career potential. It provides students with:• Academic subject matter taught with relevance to

the real world, often called contextual learning. • Employability skills, from job-related skills to

workplace ethics. • Plans of Study that help students explore interests

and careers in the process of progressing through school.


Resource List

• Texas Education Agency• AchieveTexas • University of North Texas CTE • Association for Career and Technical Education • States’ Career Cluster Initiative


References • AchieveTexas, www.achievetexas.org • Association for Career and Technical Education, www.acteonline.org • National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education

Consortium, www.careertech.org/state_profile/show/Texas • Scott, J. L., & Sarkees-Wircenski, M. (2004). Overview of Career and

Technical Education (3rd ed.). Homewood, IL: American Technical• States' Career Clusters Initiative (SCCI), www.careerclusters.org/index.php• Office of Vocational and Adult Education,

www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/cte/index.html • American Youth Policy Forum, www.aypf.org/forumbriefs/2006/fb051906.htm• The Career Clusters icons are being used with permission of the:

States’ Career Clusters Initiative, 2007,www.careerclusters.org


Documents

Career & Technical Education (CTE) Created by: The University of North Texas in partnership with the Texas Education Agency Special Thanks to Jacqueline