| Brevard County (Florida) |
| 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 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 career and technical education experiences. These experiences will complement and reinforce academic concepts that are particularly amenable to contextualized learning in a distinct career area and provide occupationally specific skills.
The Board shall provide a career and technical education program that includes, but is not limited to:
| A. | job preparatory courses designed to provide students with the competencies necessary for effective entry into an occupation; | |
| 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 vocational/technical skills and occupational awareness; | |
| E. | accelerated technical programs such as vocational 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 academies including Career and Professional (CAP) academies as research based programs that integrate a rigorous academic curriculum with an industry-driven career curriculum in compliance with required Florida statutes. Multiple academies may be established in accordance with Florida statutes.
The Florida statutes require each district school board to develop a five (5) year strategic plan that meets local and regional work force demands through the establishment of at least one (1) Career and Professional (CAP) Academy. The strategic plan shall be developed in collaboration with the Brevard Workforce Development Board and postsecondary institutions approved to operate in Florida. At least one (1) CAP academy will be offered in a designated high school beginning in the 2008-09 school year.
The Board expects career and professional academies offered in the District to provide rigorous and relevant career-themed courses that articulate to postsecondary-level coursework and provide students with the opportunity to receive a standard high school diploma, earn an industry certification or earn postsecondary credit, and to attain the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars award. Schools are encouraged to forge partnerships with local businesses in the development of career and professional academies. These partnerships will help prepare students for their career goals while supporting the local and State workforce needs, as well as help attract, expand, and retain targeted, high-value industry and jobs in the community.
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
Revised 4/10/07
Revised 4/22/08
Revised 4/28/09