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Career and Technical Education

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21st Century Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs prepare students for specific career pathways through a unique learning experience that is both rigorous and comprehensive. CTE programs combine multiple learning approaches to support student achievement through academic study, hands-on learning, and the development of technical skills based upon industry-recognized standards. CTE equips students with real-world, marketable skills while they are still in high school.

CTE also provides excellent preparation for college-bound as well as employment-bound students, offering articulations with regional two and four-year colleges. CTE students explore careers, conduct industry-based research projects, and engage in team-building, problem-solving, and leadership development. In addition, internship experiences with local businesses and industry set CTE students apart, providing them with employment connections and advantages for college. Ultimately, students are afforded unique opportunities to diversify their high school educational experience, making them competitive for post-secondary education as well as for the job market.

Our students leave the Career and Technical Education programs with a competitive advantage. CTE offers students the opportunity to discover their interests and passions, and equip them with the skills and abilities to pursue their career and life goals.

CTE Programs We Offer

Automotive Collision & Refinishing Technology

Express your artistic vision through design and custom painting techniques
Experience frame straightening, welding, sheet metal fabrication, and glass replacement
Develop skills in repairing, restoring, refinishing and detailing

Career Focus: Prepared for immediate employment, advanced standing and further education

Automotive Technology

Analyze, diagnose, repair and maintain automotive systems
Utilize traditional methods as well as state-of-the-art computerized tools
Explore automotive electronic, exhaust, suspension and emissions control systems

Career Focus: Prepared for immediate employment, advanced standing and further education

Business Administration

Potential Associate of Science (A.S.) degree through Tompkins Cortland Community College (with cooperating
home school SUNY Gen. Ed. credits)
Potential Google Apps Specialist Certification through Google (certification test)
NYS Career and Technical (CTE) Endorsement at graduation and NOCTI Industry-based credential (national test)

Career Focus: Prepared for immediate employment, advanced certifications and further education

Carpentry & Building Construction

Build and renovate residential and commercial structures
Develop framing, masonry, plumbing, roofing, electrical and finishing skills
Experience in blueprint reading and using highly technical tools

Career Focus: Prepared for immediate employment, advanced certifications and further education

Computer Repair & Networking

Construct, operate and repair PC systems and devices
Design and troubleshoot networking (A+ and Cisco Certifications)
Experience fiber optics, web development and robotics

Career Focus: Prepared for immediate employment, advanced certifications and further education

Conservation & Heavy Equipment Technology

Experience building roads, foundations, and landscaping
Utilize principles of woodlot management and maple syrup production
Operate, repair and maintain small engines, loaders, bulldozers, backhoes and excavators

Career Focus: Prepared for immediate employment, advanced certifications and further education

Cosmetology & Barbering

Experience by designing and performing skilled services such as cutting, styling, skin care, make-up and coloring
Work alongside professionals to experience all aspects of the beauty industry through the classroom, trade shows and work experience
Design a salon and create a business plan

Career Focus: Prepared for State Board exam, immediate employment and further education

Culinary Arts

Develop skills to prepare traditional as well as innovative cuisine for catering and banquet operations
Experience utilizing a variety of culinary techniques including knife skills, dry and moist heat cooking methods, baking and pastry arts
Follow recipes from a variety of sources and create your own

Career Focus: Prepared for immediate employment, ServSafe certification, advanced certification and further education

Early Childhood Education

Develop foundation skills and knowledge preparing for careers in working with children and youth
Utilize knowledge of child development and guidance when working with children in our site-based preschool program
Create age appropriate learning experiences and safe environments for young children to explore

Career Focus: Prepared for immediate employment, First Aid, CPR, CDA, advanced certification and further education

Nurse Assisting

Develop the range of skills required to sit for NYS Certified Nurse Assistant Exam
Coordinate Red Cross Blood Drives and promote increased health awareness on campus
Experience weekly clinical assignments at area facilities under the supervision of a Registered Nurse

Career Focus: Prepared for immediate employment, CNA, BLS CPR, advanced certification and further education

Security & Law Enforcement

Prepare for a career in high demand as a criminal justice expert, opening a wide range of career opportunities
Experience in law, police operations, crime scene management, courts, corrections, and security operations
Develop skills in police procedures and investigation such as handcuffing, fingerprinting, self-defense, use of force, firearms,
forensics, vehicle stops, dispatch, report writing, CPR/First Aid, and more

Career Focus: Prepared for immediate employment, CPR, advanced certification and further education

Visual Communications

Apply art to technology in the production of visuals utilizing industry standard software, hardware and equipment
Blend color, type, and imagery into designs
Focus on hands on learning, portfolio development and work experiences

Career Focus: Prepared for immediate employment, advanced certification and further education

Welding Technology

Utilize Electric Arc Welding Processes as well as Oxy-Fuel Torch and Electric Arc Cutting Processes
Develop blueprint reading skills to create a variety of structures
Fabrication and repairs using both plate and pipe techniques

Career Focus: Prepared for immediate employment, advanced certification and further education

CTE At A Glance

Origin of Career & Technical Education

In the past decade, much effort has been focused on collaboration between the business and educational communities to address emerging problems within the national workforce. Federal programs such as the School to-Work Opportunities Act were developed to foster connections, increase partnerships, and to build bridges for students transitioning from school to the workforce. Although efforts along these lines have resulted in a number of workforce preparation programs, continuous and rapid changes in global economic and labor market conditions have made the requirements for high school and college graduates entering the workforce more demanding than ever before.

Labor market indicators reveal that there is a need for more highly qualified individuals who possess both comprehensive knowledge and career specific technical training, as well as solid employability traits. The need for qualified individuals exists in every sector for business and industry, and in most cases outweighs the supply of such candidates. This poses a challenge to the educational community. Companies are seeking individuals possessing greater technical and problem-solving skills, and who have a deeper working knowledge of industry protocol. Current high school and college graduates are lacking the advanced skills essential to specific professional and non-professional careers. As educators, our goal is to help communities meet the challenge of preparing America’s youth with the academic and technical skills needed to succeed in today’s world of work.

Faced with this challenge and a multitude of related factors, the New York State Board of Regents began the discussion in June of 1999 of the relationship between Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and the revised graduation standards. An advisory panel was formed to develop a means by which students wishing to pursue the career and technical options would continue to have the flexibility to do so, while still completing their graduation requirements. The panel sought to identify models for integrating academic and CTE content, and developed a proposal to strengthen educational programs for students.

This proposal was adopted as New York State Education policy in July of 2001. Essentially, as related to CTE options, students who pass five (5) required Regents examinations are considered as having met the commencement level standards related to the graduation requirements. Provided students meet these standards, they can then be afforded the flexibility of receiving academic credits within the context of an approved CTE program. Students may earn integrated academic credits within an approved program; however, credits may not be distributed until the corresponding Regents exams(s) have been passed.

CTE Program Approval Process- NYS Program Approval

The New York State Education Department policy pertaining to the approval of Career and Technical Education programs consists of a process to develop, document, and evaluate six (6) essential elements:a curriculum review, an industry based technical assessment, the provision of work based learning experiences, an employability profile for students, postsecondary articulation agreements, and evidence of teacher certification credentials. The approval process involves reviews by academic and technical instructors, industry experts, post-secondary professionals, administrators, and board of education members. Over 600 programs submitted by both home school districts and BOCES across the state have received CTE program approval status, offering students the opportunity to earn a Technical Endorsement on their Regents Diploma.

Technical Endorsement Option

In order to be eligible for a technical endorsement, students must successfully complete a full two-year sequence in a CTE program and pass the technical assessment. A student will not receive the Technical Endorsement just for passing the program alone. They MUST pass the industry-recognized technical assessment to receive the Technical Endorsement on their diploma.

One-Year Program Options

Seniors who wish to attend programs at the DCMO BOCES may enroll in a one-year CTE experience within any program offered, or apply to a New Vision program. Seniors taking one-year CTE experiences attend the first year of the program. However, those enrolled in New Vision programs may be scheduled to attend the morning or afternoon session depending upon the program and availability. Students in these programs also earn integrated academic credits, which vary depending upon the program.

Enrollment Information

Credit Distribution

All students must pass the 5 required Regents exams in order to receive academic credit distributions. Students earn a total of 8 CTE credits, which can be used to meet the distribution requirements in more than one subject areas as follows:

During the first year of a two-year CTE program, students will earn 4 credits in Career and Technical Education upon successfully passing their program of study.

In their second year, students will earn an additional 4 credits in CTE.

All integrated academic credits may be distributed to the student once they have passed the required Regents examinations, and upon their successful completion of the two-year CTE program. All integrated academic credit distributions are acquired over 2 years. In special circumstances, the academic credit may be earned in one year if accompanied by an academic request.

All CTE programs meet the requirements for the CDOS standards and include the Career and Financial Management content embedded within each program according to the commissioner’s regulations pertaining to approved CTE programs.

Contact Information:

Jennifer Waite

Director of Career & Technical Education

[email protected]

(607) 335-1234

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Career and Technical Education (CTE)?

CTE is a comprehensive program of study that combines academic preparation, hands-on learning, and technical skill training based upon industry-recognized standards. CTE programs engage students in mastery learning to develop technical skills, employability traits, and academic competencies within a specific field of study. Additionally, students in CTE programs earn four academic distributions over their two-year experience to help met graduation requirements.

Who should consider Career and Technical Education as a high school option?

All students should look closely at Career and Technical program options for enrollment in their junior and/or senior year of high school. To be eligible for enrollment, students should be 16 years of age at the beginning of the school year, in good academic standing, and be prepared to commit to a two-year program during their junior and senior year. Career and Technical options are also available to students who wish to enroll for a one-year experience in their senior year.

How do I know if Career and Technical programs are the right choice for me?

The most important factor in looking at Career and Technical programs is to consider the student’s career goals and/or chosen college major. CTE is not for one type of student or another. CTE programs are highly specialized and prepare both college-bound and non-college bound students for a specific career major or career pathway. Some programs prepare students to continue their study in rigorous college majors while others prepare students for either option (college or employment).

How does CTE benefit a student planning to go to college for a two or four-year degree program?

CTE programs prepare students to be successful in college by affording them unique advantages. Students have the opportunity to explore college related majors prior to making a commitment toward a college degree program. CTE students are strong candidates for success in college as they are likely to stay committed to a post-secondary degree program due to the fact that they have received two years of advanced preparation directly related to their college major. Since they are less likely to change majors while in college, students also save valuable time and resources as they work towards their degree. Additionally, in many cases students can earn advanced standing through articulations with local and regional two and four year colleges.

How can CTE benefit a student planning to enter the workforce upon graduation from high school?

CTE affords students the opportunity to gain marketable skills while they are still in high school. In addition to developing career-specific technical skills, CTE students learn “soft” skills such as leadership, problem solving, interpersonal communication, industry protocol, and self-directed, responsible work habits prior to entering the workforce. Studies indicate that our graduates are more likely to retain employment and advance more rapidly than others without comprehensive technical training.