| School Board of Alachua County |
| Bylaws & Policies |
2421 - CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
The Board recognizes that education is a function of both knowledge and the application of knowledge. Education that ties abstract ideas to practical applications also prepares students to use their minds, as well as preparing them to be citizens, parents, and members of a civilized culture. Career and technical education programs teach academic subject matter with relevance to the real world, often called contextual learning. Career and technical education and academic education are complementary, rather than exclusive.
For the purposes of this policy, "career and technical education" shall be defined as a program designed to provide preparation for high-demand occupational areas and to create a bridge to postsecondary education. These academically rigorous programs of study are based on State student performance standards and connect course offerings at the secondary level with advanced academic and technical courses at the postsecondary level. Career and technical curricula is designed to ease student transitions from high school to postsecondary educational programs. These experiences will complement and reinforce academic concepts that are particularly amenable to contextualized learning in a distinct career area.
The Board shall provide a career and technical education program that includes, but is not limited to:
| A. | job preparatory programs designed to provide a sequential program of study that prepares students for a career and for continuation of study at the postsecondary level; | |
| Job preparatory programs prepare students for careers that are in high demand and reflect a high degree of technological advancement. Students select a preferred curriculum pathway in high school that centers on technical training for a specified career and provides high-level academic preparation as well. Academic and career related courses may be integrated to enhance academic learning and better prepare students with the technical and academic skills so essential to their success in a career. Students completing a job preparatory program in high school may earn college credit for the program in which they are studying. | ||
| B. | exploratory courses designed to give students initial exposure to skills and attitudes associated with a broad range of occupations in order to assist them in making informed decisions regarding their future academic and occupational goals; | |
| C. | practical arts courses designed to teach students practical generic skills which, although applicable in some occupations, are not designed to prepare students for entry into an occupation; | |
| D. | career education instruction which is designed to strengthen and integrate basic academic skills and career and technical skills and occupational awareness; | |
| E. | accelerated programs such as career and technical dual enrollment designed to enable high school students to earn elective credit toward graduation and postsecondary credit toward an A.S. degree or a technical certificate. |
Any effort to recruit students to participate in a particular career and technical program shall follow applicable State and Federal laws regarding provision of information.
The Board recognizes the value of providing students with actual workplace experiences as part of their preparation for productive employment and appreciates the cooperation of local employers in accommodating such education and training activities at their places of business.
The Board authorizes the Superintendent to develop workplace education and training programs as part of the career and technical education curriculum, which may include the establishment of Career And Professional Education (CAPE) academies as research-based programs that integrate a rigorous academic curriculum with an industry-driver career curriculum. Multiple academies may be established in accordance with Florida statutes. Each CAPE academy must follow all State Board rules and appropriate statutes.
The career and technical education curriculum shall conform to the State approved frameworks for each program. The Superintendent shall submit the career and technical education curriculum to the Board for approval, and then submit it to the Department of Education.
Cooperative education programs are available to high school students without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. The Superintendent is to ensure that application forms for cooperative education programs contain a notice of nondiscrimination. The notice of nondiscrimination shall be part of the application forms provided to employers.
Procedures for program operation in accordance with applicable labor laws are incorporated in the Florida Department of Education, Curriculum Frameworks, and Student Performance Standards.
F.S. 450.081, 1001.42, 1003.01, 1003.491, 1003.493
29 U.S.C. 201-219
F.A.C. 6A-6.301 through 6A-6.371, 6A-6.672, 6A-14.37
Adopted 7/17/07