Career and Technical Education (CTE) Quiz

Career & Technical Education (CTE)

• CTE is organized into six content areas aligning with National Career Clusters Framework.
• These areas are agriculture, food, and natural resources; arts, communications, and information systems; health sciences; human services (includes FCS); technology, engineering, and sciences; and business, finance, marketing, and management
• CTE programs are designed to support Iowa's workforce needs
• There are 14 regions in Iowa, with educators contacting an intermediary coordinator within their region.
• Most intermediary coordinators are associated with a community college.
• Each Iowa Program of Study is reviewed and approved every 5 years
• Self-study instruments define minimal requirements for a secondary CTE program.

Objectives

• Identify the six CTE content areas in Iowa.
• Describe the requirements and evaluation process for a program of study.
• Define career-connected learning and its components.
• Explain the purpose of the Intermediary Network.
• Identify professional organizations for career and technical education.
• Explain the purpose of a Program of Study and its impact on teachers.
• Describe the components and evaluation process for a Program of Study.

Iowa Quality CTE

• Goal: create a future-ready talent pipeline to meet Iowa's current and future workforce needs.
• The CTE programs use Best Practices, Regional Planning Partnerships, and Perkins V.

Perkins V

• Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act
• Signed into law on July 31, 2018
• Goal: high-quality, data-driven CTE programming.
• Defines Programs of Study, Advisory Boards, and how funds may be used.
• Includes career exploration/development and work-based learning.
• Local programs must follow specific rules to receive Perkins funds.
• Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment (CLNA) are completed by school districts and aligned at the regional level.

Programs of Study

• Sequence of specialized courses linking secondary and postsecondary education.
• Incorporates state and academic standards.
• Addresses academic and technical knowledge and skills, including employability skills.
• Aligned with industry needs.
• Progresses in specificity.
• Multiple entry and exit points with credentialing options.
• Ends with attainment of a recognized postsecondary credential.

Advisory Councils

• Provides assistance and advice to administrators, instructors.
• Membership includes representatives from businesses in related occupations and other stakeholders.
• Meets at least twice annually.
• Types include program advisory (school district managed), joint advisory (school district & community college), and regional (established by RPP).

Iowa School District Requirements

• Minimum of 4 Programs of Study from different service areas.
• CTE licensed teacher.
• Maintain a CTSO.
• Submit a self-study according to RPP timeline (about every 5 years).
• More detailed information is available at the Iowa Department of Education website.

POS Requirements

• 3 units of study (1 unit = 1 year).
• Can share one unit between programs.
• Use current state CTE standards.
• Align with community college offerings.
• Meet with Advisory Council at least twice a year.

Program Approval

• Each Iowa Program of Study is reviewed and approved every 5 years.
• Self-Study instrument defines minimal needs for a strong secondary CTE program.
• Review led by program teachers.
• Secondary Career and Technical Education Program Self-Study Template.

Regional Planning Partnerships (RPP)

• Secures collaboration among secondary schools, postsecondary institutions, and employers to ensure high-quality CTE programming.
• Focuses on bringing all schools up to the same level of facilities and content knowledge.
• Includes business, industry, and community stakeholders.
• Reviews CTE programs, makes recommendations to the Iowa Department of Education, and recommends programs through self-study process.
• Provides increased access to high-quality CTE programs through regional centers.
• State funding is based on student enrollment in CTE programs.

Best Practices

• Effective teaching and learning.
• Problem-based learning, project-based learning, and work-based learning.
• Postsecondary partnerships.
• Stakeholder engagement.
• Career & Technical Student Organization(CTSO) alignment and implementation.
• Fostering career development skills, emphasizing equity and inclusion.

Best Practices: CTE Standards

• Standards are the core of the program and minimum learning expectations for students.
• Each content area has its own standards for CTE high school programs.
• CTE middle school programs incorporate state standards, covering grades 5-8.
• Iowa Universal CTE Standards are common to all CTE content areas.

Best Practice: Career-Connected Learning

• CTE teachers integrate career exploration and work-based learning into their lessons.

New Definitions for Career Exploration & Work-Based Learning

• Career Exploration (Learning about work): career fairs, business tours, job shadows, employability skills courses.
• Work-Based Learning (Working to learn): sustained project-based learning with employers; simulated work experiences aligned with industry recognized credentials; high quality pre-apprenticeships; internships.

Work-Based Learning (WBL)

• Internships are commonly associated with WBL.
• Does not always require additional endorsement if teacher arranges within the content area.
• Requires Multioccupational (MOC) endorsement if managing internships in all career paths.
• Often managed by one person in the school district.
• Iowa Internship Toolkit

Iowa Intermediary Network

• Purpose: prepares students for the workforce via career exploration experiences with industry.
• Matches school districts with industry partners.
• Offers career fairs, classroom speakers, internships, job shadows, mock interviews, and student tours.
• Provides educator resources for the programs.

Career & Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs)

• Student organization that develops CTE skills in a chosen occupational area.
• Encourages career exploration and develops leadership skills.
• Required for all secondary CTE programs starting in 2024-25.
• Provides a toolkit and how-to guides from the Iowa Department of Education.
• Reviews CTSO requirements.

CTSOs in Iowa

• Organizations like Business Professionals of America (BPA), DECA, HOSA Future Health Professionals, Future Farmers of America (FFA), Skills USA, FBLA, and TSA

CTE Professional Organizations

• Connects educators through professional development, techniques, and leadership skills
• Associations for specific CTE areas.

This quiz tests your knowledge on key aspects of Career and Technical Education (CTE), including best practices, program standards, and the role of industry representatives. Explore essential legislation and organizational structures related to CTE in Iowa. Perfect for students and professionals involved in CTE programs.