Implementing Programs of Study: Where to Start 2011 Connections Conference

 How does a student of any age make a sound decision when it comes to choosing a career?  What are the knowledge and skills needed to achieve postsecondary and career success?  How does one navigate through the sea of career information? ANSWER: Utilization of the Career Cluster Framework

 Devalued high school diploma  A high and rising drop out rate of secondary students.  High school graduates lack in basic math and science skills.  Extraordinarily high remediation rates.  Most students think they are going to college, but do not prepare for it or any other possible future.

Evolution of Career Clusters

The 16 Career Clusters

How were the Clusters Developed? Grants to states National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium National Advisory Committees – Business and Industry – Labor – Government – Education (secondary and postsecondary)

 Accountability for results and program improvement at all educational levels  Coordination of CTE with the entire P-20 system  Integration of academic and CTE  Alignment and connections between secondary and postsecondary education, including baccalaureate  Involvement of business and industry and community-based partners Themes in Perkins IV

For fewer students For Fewer “Jobs” 6 to 7 Program Areas In lieu of Academics High School Focused For All Students For All Careers 16 Clusters – 81 Pathways Aligns and Supports Academics High School and College Partnership Then …..and …..now

 Increase secondary and postsecondary alignment  Increase collaboration  Decrease remediation  Decrease dropouts  Decrease curricular duplication  Align Knowledge and Skills to state learning standards and other relevant standards

 Do not take away from current programs  Do not take away from occupational areas  Do not trap learners/students in a single job

Career Clusters groups of occupations and industries that have a common set of foundational knowledge and skills.  Organizer of knowledge and skills needed by a broad industry.  There are 16 nationally recognized clusters, within which are multiple pathways. What are Career Clusters?

Career Pathways are multi-year programs of academic and technical study that prepare students for a full range of postsecondary options within each of the 16 career clusters.  Organizer of knowledge and skill statements by professions.  Currently, there are 81 nationally recognized pathways, each with specific pathway knowledge and skills. Clusters Pathways What are Career Pathways?

Programs of Study are sequences of courses that incorporate a non-duplicative progression of secondary and postsecondary elements which include both academic and career and technical education content, and lead to the attainment of an industry recognized credential, certificate, or degree. What are Programs of Study?

Illinois’ Secondary Career Cluster Transition

IL Career Cluster Framework Updated December 14, 2010

Illinois Cluster Model The Illinois’ Career Cluster Model shows the relationship between: One of Illinois’ five, secondary career and technical education areas (Health Sciences Technology) The related career cluster (Health Science) The five pathways within that cluster Sample programs of study within the pathway. It also illustrates: Essential knowledge and skills Cluster level knowledge and skills Pathway level knowledge and skills Programs of study Career development Adult Bridge Programs

Career Cluster: Health Science

Next Steps

S ECONDARY AND P OSTSECONDARY A LIGNMENT  Aligned curricula  Seamless transitions  Dual credit  Career development  Professional development  Articulation agreements  Data sharing agreements  Partnerships and collaborations  Continuous Improvement

BUILDING ON OUR STRONG FOUNDATION. Build on and transform existing programs Develop new programs Benchmark to national and international standards Implement career clusters, pathways, and programs of study

CAREER DEVELOPMENT SPANS ALL GRADES K-5: Understanding the Importance and Value of Work and Jobs Introduction to the world of careers 6-8: Initial Career Exploration Discovering interest areas Grade 8: Career Exploration and Transition Develop graduation plans based upon personal interest/cluster areas 9-12: Programs of Study Related to a Career Goal Academics and technical courses, intensive guidance, individual graduation plans Postsecondary: Career Preparation Achieving credentials: college, certification, apprenticeship, military Employment: Career Advancement Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning

STUDENTSEDUCATORS EMPLOYERS COMMUNITIES Who Benefits from a Career Clusters Framework?

Programs of Study Elementary & Middle School High School (Secondary) Postsecondary Adult Education/ Re-entry Business & Industry Connecting Educational Systems to Ease Student Transition

Resources Related to POS

  Federal initiative aimed at providing resources as they related to the career clusters initiative.  Identification of 16 career clusters.  Resources associated with clusters/pathways/POS.

1 st edition Informational pamphlet providing common language and themes about the career cluster framework, including definitions and examples. kins/Report/POSmailer.pdf kins/Report/POSmailer.pdf

1.Leadership, Organization and Support 2.Access, Equity and Opportunity 3.Alignment and Transition 4.Enhanced Curriculum and Instruction 5.Professional Preparation and Development 6.Program Improvement and Accountability

Provides an understanding of Illinois’ framework for implementation and evaluation. Makes connections to federal, state, and local level activities. Introduction of guiding principles and design elements

 Extension to Introduction pamphlet.  Outlines: Perkins IV Key Concepts Career Cluster Framework Illinois’ Career Cluster Model Implementation Acronyms Resources

 Paper and online searchable database that includes information on what degree and certificate programs are offered by the 48 public community colleges in Illinois.  Can search by college or program type  CTE programs are organized according to the 16 Career Clusters.

 Snapshot of each career cluster and associated pathways  Identifies connection between 16 career clusters to (5) CTE secondary areas  Outlines career and program options based up community college program offerings

Career Cluster: Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources

Career Cluster: Education and Training

ILLINOIS PROGRAMS OF STUDY EXPECTATIONS TOOL The State leadership set out to answer the questions that were being posed by the field. What does a program of study look like? How is a program of study different from a Tech Prep program?

The Illinois Programs of Study Expectation Tool is designed to… – Be Interactive – Meet federal requirements – Meet Illinois standards –support six guiding principles – Guide the users in designing and implementing programs of study – Provide examples of evidence – Suggest examples of supporting materials – Monitor status

The Format Reference to the Principles Reference to the design elements Reference to the POS requirements from Perkins IV Evidence of what a aspects of a program of study align with this principle EXAMPLES of materials a partnership could use to show alignment Ability to rate your Program of Study

Provide ongoing information to interested stakeholders regarding Illinois CTE Programs of Study and the broader career cluster framework.

What Now?

 Many advantages to using Career Cluster framework for not only CTE but for a comprehensive school improvement plan approach.  Coordinates efforts to better serve all students in achieving postsecondary and career readiness.

 We must work with all students;  Career awareness must start at an early age;  Career exploration must expose all students to opportunities available;

 Career planning must make the career connections students need;  All students must be provided the opportunity to transition successfully to postsecondary education and the world of work.  It is not always about where a student is going to college, but what they are going for.

CONTACT INFORMATION Kristy Morelock Associate Director for CTE Programs of Study Illinois Community College Board Aime ´ e LaFollette Julian Assoc. Director of Professional Development Illinois Center for Specialized Support ext. 208

T HANK Y OU. This presentation will be available online at &