Career and Technical Education

21st Century Curriculum Design in ACPS Content and Program Areas: Career and Technical Education

Career and Technical Education will provide all students with career exploration, industry standard skill development and the knowledge, attitudes and technological expertise necessary that lead to current and future career pathways within a global economy.

Key Curriculum Design and Learning Principles for the Career and Technical Education Curriculum:

  • All students will have access to challenging career and technical programs aligned with industry standards that include industry credentials.
  • Programs will focus on preparing students for a post-secondary experience that includes higher education, career development, and lifelong learning.
  • The Career and Technical Education curriculum will combine academics, workplace knowledge, and the skills and technologies that are essential to prepare the world-class workforce our nation needs to flourish in the 21st century.
  • In the classroom, each student will model behaviors and skills associated with a career pathway and engage in authentic work related to current and emerging career opportunities.
  • Outside the classroom, each student will engage in work-based learning experiences such as cooperative education, job shadowing, mentoring, internships, and community service activities.
  • The Career and Technical Education program components — curriculum, instructional methodology, facilities, technology, and equipment — will be state of the art, rigorous, aligned with industry standards, evaluated on a regular basis, and updated when appropriate.
  • Course content will align with post-secondary education institutions through seamless articulation and dual enrollment.

Exemplary ACPS Career and Technical Education Programs Reflecting These Principles:

  • Path to Industry Credentialing Initiative: Students work toward earning an industry certification, achieving a state licensure, or passing an occupational competency assessment upon completion of a Career and Technical Education concentration or sequence in accordance with the Technical Skills Assessment (2S1) Plan for Perkins IV.
  • Dual Enrollment: Students have the opportunity to earn college credits for identified advanced Career and Technical Education courses. The courses follow the college level curriculum and are taught by approved adjunct college faculty. Dual enrollment courses link secondary programs to post secondary programs in the framework for career pathways within Career and Technical Education.
  • Career Pathway Development: Career pathways provide students with a flexible, relevant, and purposeful plan for learning that is part of their Academic and Career Plan. It assists students in setting goals, offers work-based and service learning experiences and provides a seamless transition from high school to postsecondary opportunities. The development of pathways requires the collaboration of students, parents, secondary and post-secondary education, local business and industry.