Questions & Answers
New Question (Course Sequence)
Does my system (school) have to offer EVERY course listed in a program of study, if it offers at least THREE of the courses? For example, in the program of study called Construction Masonry & Concrete, we offer all of the courses except Concrete I & II. Since we offer everything else, could we still say we offer that program of study? That applies to some other programs we offer as well, especially those with 4 or more courses in the sequence: we may offer 3 of the courses, but not the 4th course. Would THOSE still qualify as Programs of Studies for us?
In order for a school system to offer a program of study they should follow the approved programs of study that are listed on our state pathways web site. This includes offering all courses. In the situation of Construction Masonry and Concrete you must offer CMS, Construction Core Masonry I and Masonry II or CMS, Construction Core Concrete I and Concrete II. To be a concentrator a student should have 3 or more earned credits in a recommended sequence in a program of study that should articulate to a post-secondary institution.
Course Sequence
Can the courses be taken out of sequence such as Financial Planning be taken in the 11th or 12th grade rather than the 9th grade?
Due to the format of each program of study, the courses are shown in a sequence; however, the local system may choose to offer a course at a different grade level. In doing so it is recommended that the scope and sequence still be adhered to as much as possible to assure the student’s success when technical skill assessment phase is implemented.
Are all students who desire to take a CTE elective required to select a Cluster and Program of Study in that cluster or is this just for Carl Perkins concentrator path students?
It is not required but is highly recommended.
Will all students have Programs of Study within the clusters or just CTE students?
Any student who completes a Program of Study within the clusters will be a CTE concentrator. Pending State Board of Education approval, this year’s 7th graders will be required to have a Program of Study. This Program of Study may be in the area of Career and Technical Education.
Do students still have to have three courses plus one related course to graduate?
Yes, students in grades 8-12 will graduate under the current requirements of three credits plus one related.
Are students only counted as concentrators if they follow to the letter the curriculum outlined in the Career Cluster and Program of Study in the cluster?
Students are considered a concentrator if they have three or more earned credits in a CTE program of study or program area.
Are all students or just CTE students required to have a program of study?
With the proposed graduation requirements, all students will be required to have a program of study in an academic or CTE area beginning with this year’s 7th grade class. This is pending approval by the SBE in January 2008
Does the program of study start with this year's seventh graders?
CTE Programs of Study start in the fall of 2008-2009 with at least one Program of Study in each school system. New graduation requirements will begin with this year’s 7th graders pending approval by the State Board of Education on January 25, 2008.
How does this impact 9th grade academies or learning communities?
This would be ideal for 9th grade career academies, if students are allowed to take CTE courses. Small learning communities are focused Programs of Study. If you have 9th grade academies that do not allow students to take CTE classes, they can begin the sequence in the 10th grade.
Do we schedule all students by these programs of study no matter what grade they are in next year? What about next year's seniors?
It is a local decision to implement Programs of Study for fall 2008, but at least one Program of Study that links to post-secondary education must be offered to receive Perkins Funding.
I am in a small school and we only have a part-time Ag and a full-time FACS teacher?
In systems that have only one high school, that school must have at least one state approved Program of Study that links with post-secondary education. Otherwise, that system would not qualify for Perkins Funding.
How do clusters and Programs of Study fit in FACS courses? What about Family & Consumer Sciences, not the Occupational part?
Family and Consumer Sciences courses and Programs of Study are offered in the following clusters: Interior Design in Architecture and Construction Cluster, Fashion Design in Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communications Career Cluster; Teaching Training Services in Education and Training, Food and Beverage Services in Hospitality and Tourism, Family and Consumer Sciences, Counseling and Mental Health Services, Consumer Sciences and Early Childhood Development in Human Services.
What is the flexibility in sequences for small systems?
Due to the format of each Program of Study, the courses are shown in a sequence; however, the local system may choose to offer a course at a different grade level. In doing so it is recommended that the scope and sequence still be adhered to as much as possible to assure the student’s success in the technical skill assessment phase.
If there is a sequence of four classes, and a student only takes three of them....have they met the requirement? In other words, is it three or four credits they "MUST" have?
The student will be tested after the third earned credit but should complete the Program of Study in order to transition into post-secondary education, industry certification or into the work force.
What happens when a child cannot fit the exact course sequence into their master schedule?
Due to the format of each Program of Study the courses are shown in a sequence; however, the local system may choose to offer a course at a different grade level. In doing so, it is recommended that the scope and sequence still be adhered to as much as possible to assure the student’s success in the technical skill assessment phase.
There should be some flexibility in sequences, and let us order the end of series test when the students have completed the cluster.
There will be flexibility in the course sequencing but at this time the procedures for end of series tests have not been determined.
How will systems discriminate if they cannot offer all of the required coursework?
The only required coursework is graduation requirements approved by the State Board of Education. A system must have at least one Program of Study that links to post-secondary education to qualify for Perkins funding.
Will course sequencing affect skill attainment on report card?
Yes, it may as it relates to baseline data and local CTE performance.
Block schedule for all school systems?
The CTE Division of the Department of Education does not mandate the scheduling format for LEAs.
Exactly what is the process if a school has a different sequence of courses than listed in the career cluster material?
In order for you to substitute a course in a Program of Study, three areas must be met: 1) the competencies are at least 80% of the class it is replacing, 2) the CTE Director must submit the application for Special Program of Study by March 1, 2008, and 3) this Program of Study has to be approved by the program consultant for that program area.
Course Substitution
Can a course be substituted for one of the courses listed in the cluster?
In order for you to substitute a course in a program of study, three areas must be met: 1) The competencies are at least 80% of the class it is replacing, 2) the CTE Director must submit the application for special program of study by March 1, 2008, and 3) this program of study must to be approved by the program consultant for that program area.
How do we file for a new course approval in an existing Program of Study?
There is a form in section three of the notebook that each school system received at the cluster roll-out sessions. Also, this form will appear as a link on the Career Cluster and Program of Study CTE web site.
Does everyone choose a Program of Study or only those who have been designated as technical path students?
Any student who completes a Program of Study within the clusters will be a CTE concentrator. Pending State Board of Education approval, this year’s 7th graders will be required to have a Program of Study. This Program of Study may be in the area of Career and Technical Education.
Can we change the courses within the Program of Study and still have the state approved program?
In order for you to substitute a course in a program of study, three areas must be met: 1) the competencies are at least 80% of the class it is replacing, 2) the CTE Director must submit the application for special program of study and 3) this program of study has to be approved by the program consultant for that program area.
How do we handle students who change their minds?
The factors that will determine a student’s ability to change Programs of Study will be determined by the student’s grade level and what type of schedule the school is on, i.e. block or traditional scheduling. This is a local decision.
Can you develop additional Programs of Study or modify them and how do you do the modification or development?
In order for you to substitute a course in a Program of Study, three areas must be met: 1) the competencies are at least 80% of the class it is replacing, 2) the CTE Director must submit the application for special program of study by March 1, 2008, and 3) this program of study has to be approved by the program consultant for that program area.
How will systems discriminate if they cannot offer all of the required coursework?
The only required coursework is graduation requirements approved by the State Board of Education. A system must have at least one Program of Study that links to post-secondary education to qualify for Perkins funding.
How do we handle alternative courses that might be acceptable?
In order for you to substitute a course in a Program of Study, three areas must be met: 1) the competencies are at least 80% of the class it is replacing, 2) the CTE Director must submit the application for special program of study by March 1, 2008 and 3) this program of study has to be approved by the program consultant for that program area.
Guidance and Graduation Requirements
What is the incentive for a guidance counselor and/or administrator to promote the career cluster concept? What is the consequence for the school if it does not embrace the career cluster concept and continues doing things the way they always have?
The incentive for schools to follow the program of study guidelines is their students will perform higher in academics and score higher on the end of program technical skill assessment. It gives guidance to school counselors, students and parents by providing a tool to guide students in their future plans. Research has shown that a program of study increased graduation rates and improved student’s entry and performance at post-secondary institutions.
At this time there are no consequences for schools that do not comply. However, to receive Perkins funding, LEAs must have at least one program of study.
Why are so few careers offered in the job opportunity column of the Career Clusters?
Space was limited and we were aiming for high-wage, high-demand and high-salary career choices. Links will be provided in the future for additional job opportunities.
Will students be required to be a CTE concentrator to graduate?
No, they must meet the graduation requirements as put forth by the State Board of Education. Concentrators are used for federal reporting on the performance indicators.
What happens with students who take only 2 courses in their program of study? Does this impact money or graduation?
Courses are not what counts, the number of credits is your goal. The student will be considered a CTE concentrator with three or more earned credits in a focused Program of Study or program area. This does not impact funding but could impact graduation.
This looks great and just what we need, but how do we get our principals to work with us on this effort?
The State Department of Education will be available to provide professional development when requested by the LEA.
Are we to basically use TCIDS or Kuder? If TCIDS, then why did we spend so much time preparing for and purchasing the other?
Both of these career guidance tools are available at no cost to local school systems
How do we expand post-secondary transition?
The CTE division will be available to assist LEAs in professional development to provide guidance and to assist in expanding post-secondary transition partnerships.
Will new requirements lead to occupational diplomas for Special Education students?
No
If I understand, the three key elements to a program of study are: 1) dual enrollment; 2) dual credit; and 3) articulation. What about the largest single program of concentrators we have (Agriculture) that sends more students to college than any other group without any of these three. You have a program with large numbers of success that does not fit your guidelines. More over, it appears to me that the fewer number of course offerings that a program has, the easier it is to develop a program. Clear the air for me if you will.
The key elements listed above are suggestions and areas we want to move toward. There are community colleges and universities that are offering dual credit and dual enrollment in agriculture in various parts of the state. The development of Programs of Study is not to eliminate any group of students but to increase the number of students who are entering post-secondary institutions. Statewide efforts are taking place to construct new dual credit, articulation, and/or dual enrollment programs in all program areas including agriculture.
What happens when a child fails a Gateway class and is forced to take remediation instead of a CTE class that is only offered one class period? The concept is great on paper but it will not work in the real world of educating and graduating children.
It is an NCLB requirement for students who do not satisfactorily meet performance on a Gateway Exam to take a remedial course.
Unsure of definitions of Dual Credit-Articulation-Dual Enrollment…
Dual Credit- a college course that is taught at the high school using the high school faculty, with the students able to gain credit at the college through successful completion of the course plus satisfying the requirements of the institutions for receipt of the credit (e.g. by passing a post-secondary assessment). Students are not enrolled in the post-secondary institution; therefore, do not pay tuition and other associated fees and do not have to meet university entrance requirements at the time that the course is taken.
Dual Enrollment – a college course taught either at the college/TTC or at the high school, by the college faculty (may be adjunct), which upon successful completion of the course allows students to earn college and secondary credit. Students are enrolled in both the high school and the post-secondary institution. Students must meet college entrance requirements and are responsible for tuition and associated fees.
Articulation – is based on the idea that “equivalent learning outcomes” can be gained by a student “attaining competency” through one or more secondary courses. In addition to competency attainment, the student may receive credit for the “equivalent learning outcomes” through a process decided by the individual college or TTC that validates the credit. This process is determined by the articulation agreement. Based upon the process, a student is eligible to receive post-secondary credit at some point.
Who in the world came up with the courses under each cluster?
The following partners had input: National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education, National Advisory Committees, business and industry partners, school counselors, math and science consultants, LEA representatives, post-secondary partners, CTE directors and state program consultants.
What will be the new courses for AG and FACS?
These courses will go before the State Board of Education for the second reading in January 2008 and will be available on-line in the spring. You can go to Revised Curriculum Standards (for public feedback) at: http://www.tennessee.gov/education/cte/standards.shtml for names of courses and standards.
High School Redesign
In the new High School Redesign initiative, is a CTE major an option for a student? If so, to meet the High School Redesign criteria would the student’s program have to follow the cluster and program of study with no substitutions?
Yes, students will be required to have a three credit focus which can be in the area of CTE. Due to the format of each program of study, the courses are shown in a sequence; however, the local system may choose to offer a course at a different grade level. In doing so it is recommended that the scope and sequence still be adhered to as much as possible to assure the student’s success when technical skill assessment phase is implemented.
Do the Career Clusters begin with The High School Redesign seventh grade class?
The new High School Redesign will take effect with this year’s seventh graders who will be the graduating class of 2013. The CTE Career Cluster implementation begins with students in the fall of 2008
Clearly explain the graduation reform versus cluster reform and what are the main differences?
In November, the State Board of Education passed, on first reading, new high school graduation requirements. The proposed changes would take effect for this year's 7th grade. This, along with the elimination of the two path system by the state legislature, has created some questions in regard to Career and Technical Education students.
Students who are in the 8th through the 12th grade in the 2007-08 school year will still continue to use current graduation requirements. Students who elect the technical path and are under current graduation requirements will still be required to complete four units in a technical program of study for high school graduation (3 + 1 related).
As you are aware, Perkins IV took effect on July 1, 2007. The Perkins IV definition for a concentrator is three credits in a program area or an approved program of study. Therefore, if this proposal is passed by the State Board of Education on second reading, the two definitions will not align until the graduating class of 2013
With the most recent information, it appears to me that the changes in courses will not be implemented until 2010-11 for 9-12 graders. Is this the case?
The new High School Redesign will take effect with this year’s seventh graders who will be the graduating class of 2013. The CTE Career Cluster implementation begins with students in the fall of 2008. Students in grades 8-12 will continue under current graduation guidelines.
People in my session had a hard time understanding the difference between career clusters and their timeline versus new high school course of study. Make the differentiation immediately.
Career Cluster and Programs of Study begin for CTE students in the fall of 2008 with at least one program of study that links to post-secondary education. The high school graduation requirements will begin with this year’s 7th graders, pending State Board of Education approval in January 2008.
Implementation of Career Clusters
We need a step 1, 2, 3, guideline for implementing this career cluster program. At this time it all seems very vague. The career cluster meeting created many questions and few concrete answers. When does this career cluster program start, 2008-2009?
The notebook that was given at the cluster area roll-out sessions will give you most of the guidance you need for implementation. Every school system that gets Perkins funding must have at least one state approved, post secondary linked program of study for the fall of 2008-2009.
When do these Career Clusters go into effect?
To receive Perkins funding every school system must have at least one state approved program of study that has a post-secondary link. This will take effect in the fall of 2008.
How do we implement the Programs of Study when we can only offer a very limited number of CTE course? How will I handle scheduling?
Your system will need to determine the Program of Study it will implement. Scheduling is a local decision.
We have gone to wall-to-wall Career Academies. How will this effort fit in with what we are doing now and how will it impact the work that we have already done?
Due to the format of each Program of Study, the courses are shown in a sequence; however, the local system may choose to offer a course at a different grade level. In doing so it is recommended that the scope and sequence still be adhered to as much as possible to assure the student’s success in the technical skill assessment phase.
When do we actually implement changes in course offerings?
The only new course offerings are in Agriculture, Technology Engineering and Family and Consumer Science. These may be implemented in the fall of 2008 but implementation is not required until the fall of 2009.
When do all areas HAVE to meet the Program of Study?
Career Cluster and Programs of Study will begin in the fall of 2008 with at least one Program of Study that links to post-secondary education to qualify for Perkins funding. The High School Redesign will begin with this year’s 7th graders, pending State Board of Education approval.
How do we use the cluster notebook effectively?
As your system is working on an implementation schedule, the notebook can be used to educate faculty, teachers, parents, students, community leaders and other stake holders in counseling and career planning. It can also be used in conjunction with the school and system wide plans.
Skill Assessment Testing
On the End of Program test, what happens if a student does not pass the test? Is the test counted in the grade average for the course or is this just data that is being collected for evaluation in Carl Perkins?
We are still working out those details and have not developed guidelines on testing at this time, nor have we received guidance from OVAE (Federal Office of Vocational Adult Education) in regard to technical skills assessment.
What grade level concentrators of clusters will be counted toward report card on skills attainment?
Grade level is not a factor in determining if a student is a concentrator. Any student in grades 9-12 who earns three credits in a focused Program of Study or program area will be a concentrator.
Program of study--Testing-- 3rd or 4th course…
The plans are for technical skills assessment to take place after the 3rd earned credit in a program area.
When will we know if the technical skills assessment test will be given?
Technical Skills Assessment will be given but the timeline has not been established.
Other Questions
Do the local CTE Directors have the authority to setup their own guidelines for the CTE clusters for their LEAs?
Local CTE Directors can set up their guidelines on which programs of study they wish to offer. However, LEAs must follow the state programs of study or submit a request for a change in the state approved program of study by March 1, 2008.
How will this impact my teachers’ endorsements and what they can teach?
This should have no effect on teacher endorsements as long as the teacher(s) on staff have the credentials to teach the courses in the selected program of study.
How will modifications for Special Education students be handled in relation to the requirements?
The IEP will determine the student’s entire Program of Study. The IEP may or may not lead to a regular diploma. There is a Special Needs Students in CTE resource which has been developed to assist with the development of IEP’s of CTE students. This resource is available on the Department of Education web site.
Will the standards be so high that Special Education students will be eliminated from CTE?
The Special Education students will not be eliminated from CTE programs. Our intent is to provide guidance for all students, including Special Education, that leads to a post-secondary education certificate, diploma, degree or credential. If you have a question concerning IEP development for CTE students, please refer to the Special Needs Student in CTE resource guide located on the DOE web site for further assistance.
Business, Management and Administration cluster does not have a program of study that includes Virtual Enterprise International.
The Business Management Program of Study within the Business, Management, and Administration Cluster has been revised to include Virtual Enterprise International. This change will be available on the Pathways website soon. The current revision was October 19 so you will know by the date on the program of study when it has been revised.
I have a concern that Computer Applications is not required in all the Programs of Study. Knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite is essential for all clusters and Programs of Study.
TCA (Tennessee Code Annotated) 49-6-1010 TSBE shall require every candidate for a full time high school diploma to receive a full year of computer education sometime during a candidate’s education career. Therefore, every student that is a candidate for a full time high school diploma should have at least one year of computer training.
Can Virtual Enterprise International substitute for Business Management?
The Business Management Program of Study within the Business, Management, and Administration Cluster has been revised to include Virtual Enterprise International. This change will be available on the Pathways website soon. The current revision was October 19 so you will know by the date on the program of study when it has been revised.
Why would Career Connections be required in the Electronic Publishing Program of Study?
Career Connections was included in the Electronic Publishing Program on the advice of business and industry since personnel involved in this occupational area must have an understanding of how to work with their clients
Is industry certification required or recommended?
Industry certification is required for T & I instructors and highly recommended for all other program areas, where available. Industry certification is recommended strongly for students, where available.
Is Industry Certification mandatory at this time?
Industry certification for students is not mandatory at this time. It is mandatory for T & I teachers, if available in their endorsement areas.
How do you recommend that we "roll-out" to our schools?
You may use the notebook and CD that were provided to every CTE Director at the state career cluster roll-out. Presentations are posted on the CTE web site. The CTE Division can also assist you with the presentation.
The Gold Standard - is it available in all areas?
OVAE has not issued official definitions of the gold, silver and bronze levels.
Standards--gold, silver, bronze?
We are still working out those details and have not received guidance from OVAE (Federal Office of Vocational Adult Education) in regard to technical skills assessment.
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