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Adopting a CTE Framework

For any school or educator, adopting a CTE framework is a key step in building an effective career and development education program. We will explore tips, techniques and steps to applying the right career and technical development system for your school.

Why is adopting the right CTE program so important?

Adopting the right CTE framework allows for a comprehensive approach to developing proficiency in your students for career related training. It will allow you to get efficiencies in terms of how you develop and then utilize resources, as well as allow your program to be more measurable.

However, many educators and school administrators often take a more tactical and class specific approach to adopting a CTE framework. While this can work, it can be less efficient and take more energy to get the best results. Let’s look at some other considerations for adopting a framework.

Considerations for adopting the right CTE framework

Since adopting a career and education framework will drive your entire career area at an institution, there is a lot to consider to get the right fit.

Understand all the essential components of a CTE Framework

Most important when adopting a CTE framework is to consider all the necessary components within it. First, an appropriate framework will provide a definition of job categories and associated elements. Next, it will give an overview of technical development phases. Third, it will include a proficiency measurement system and finally it will include integration into related programs and systems.

The CTE framework should drive everything else

Your framework should serve as the cornerstone of your technical and career development programs, providing a solid foundation upon which everything else is built. This approach prioritizes intentional program design over relying solely on educational standards or allowing grants to dictate.

Issues for adopting the right CTE framework

Adopting the right career and technical education (CTE) framework for your institution is an important step in helping your students get into technical careers. So we will start with some issues first that you will need to navigate.

Technology specific issues

Developing technology skills takes time. So there is no getting around this yet still many people try to develop frameworks that do not account for it. Ensure that you have an appropriately designed framework that considers it will take years for students to develop proficiency of skills while training.

CTE Framework specific issues

While we are starting to make some progress on a national CTE framework, we still have many issues. So as a result, the following has occurred:

• Each state has their own frameworks that differ
• Lack of focus on development phases
• Few include relevant measurement systems

Public school issues

In the United States, we apply too much of what we do for primary subjects, such as math, to vocational training. So this includes the following.

• Too much focus on grant funding
• Educational standards are not accurately organized
• Focus on pathway instead of overall hierarchy
• Too focused on knowledge over proficiency
• Not enough teachers or use of coaches

Steps to adopt the right school

Below are the key steps to adopt the right CTE framework at your school or district. Take your time but one step forward at a time.

Be open to change

So first things first, be open to trying a new approach. Also, this should especially be the case if your previous or current efforts are not working. Review the considerations, issues and recommendations above for some ideas to move forward.

Start backwards

Building on starting different, the first step is to work in reverse. This means instead of starting with educational standards, start with the services your students will be performing in their future careers.

By doing this, you ensure a proficiency first approach instead of a knowledge first one. Yes, acquiring knowledge is the first step in developing proficiency, however it is not the end goal.

Research your resources

Next, when you start in reverse, it opens up many more resources to adopting a CTE framework and program. So, you will need to research all of these new options. This will most likely include chambers of commerce, as well as other business centric organizations.

Build a multi-year development plan

With the new direction for your focus and an understanding of available resources, you are now ready to build your CTE framework development plan. Focus on scope, schedule and budget. Further, you will most likely need to align and meet grant requirements, however do let this be your only focus.

Execute

Plan the work and then work the plan when adopting the right CTE framework. Be sure to build and execute your plan by phase so you can make measure progress. Also, ensure that you focus on the supporting components, such as teachers and curriculum by the development phase .

Next Steps

With ideas about the framework, now you can narrow in on learning more about CTE pathways. Perhaps take a look at our educator pathway, or reach out to us with questions.