Procedure: 2170P
Instruction
Career & Technical Education
The district’s plan for its Career and Technical Education (CTE) program will be approved annually by the board of directors. All components of the plan will meet the CTE program standards as established by the Office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
A. The District’s Career and Technical Education Plan - Accountability: The district’s CTE Plan describes how the district will deliver Career and Technical Education to its students. Adherence to the district’s CTE plan will ensure:
1. Application and contextualization of the related state academic learning standards;
2. Responsiveness to state-wide or local high-demand occupations;
3. Compliance with the five-year plan requirements of the federal Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act;
4. Sufficient equipment and facilities to meet industry standards;
5. Adequate student and teacher opportunities to connect to the business community including, but not limited to, industry job shadowing, mentorships and internships;
6. The integration and application of leadership and employability skills;
7. Connection between student learning with work and community;
8. Preparatory programs leading to a certificate or credential that is state or nationally recognized;
9. Courses are sequential, rigorous and based on an analysis of technical skill attainment;
10. Performance measures and targets established by the state are met or exceeded;
11. No discrimination in any aspect of its CTE Programs under RCW 28A.642.010;
12. Reasonable modifications are made to all CTE policies, procedures and practices which are necessary to avoid discrimination against students based on disability unless the District can demonstrate that such modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of a CTE course or program.
13. Teachers are CTE certified in the areas in which they instruct; and
14. Courses are structured so that the maximum number of students per class is determined by the number of training stations, safety factors and individual instruction requirements of the specific skills being developed.
B. Performance Measures and Target – Accountability
The District will adopt performance measures and targets:
1. Sufficiency of courses allowing students to earn dual credit for high school and college;
2. Rates of student participation in and completion of high demand programs; and
3. Performance measures and targets established by the workforce training and education coordinating board, including but not limited to student academic and technical skill attainment, graduation rates, post-graduation employment or enrollment in post-secondary education and other measures and targets as required by the Federal Carl D. Perkins Act.
C. Course Equivalencies
Each of the district’s high schools shall adopt core academic course equivalencies for high school Career and Technical courses, provided that the CTE course has been reviewed and approved for equivalency credit in accordance with district procedure regarding Equivalency Credit for Career and Technical Educational Courses.
D. Career and Technical Education Programs of Study
A program of study is a sequence of courses that identifies the secondary and post-secondary content that students need to take to ensure that they will have the knowledge and skills needed for a seamless transition to post-secondary options.
The district’s CTE program(s) of study will:
1. Incorporate secondary CTE academic and elective courses and local graduation requirements as well as post-secondary education elements;
2. Include coherent and rigorous academic content aligned with state learning standards and relevant career and technical content in a coordinated, non-duplicative progression of courses that are aligned with post-secondary education in a related field;
3. Include courses aligned with appropriate state academic, industry, leadership and employability standards; and
4. Lead to industry-recognized credentials, an academic certificate or degree, apprenticeship, employment or certificate at the post-secondary level.
E. Career Guidance and Counseling
Career guidance and counseling programs shall include the exploration of options and opportunities for Career and Technical Education at the secondary and post-secondary level (to include information on apprenticeships) and exploration of career opportunities in emerging and high-demand programs. (See WSSDA policy 2140, Guidance and Counseling)
F. Advisory Committees
1. In consultation with the CTE director and teachers, advisory committees will participate in the determination of program goals, and review and evaluate program curricula, equipment and effectiveness.
2. Advisory committee participants will include representatives of business and labor who reflect the local industry and the community. Members will actively consult with other representatives of business, industry, labor and agriculture.
3. CTE teachers will maintain an active role on program advisories, working collaboratively to create and sustain business partnerships that ensure program relevance.
Adopted 4/2009
Revised 5/2018; 3/2026