1 AchieveTexas College and Career Initiative Overview and Resource Materials for Social Studies Collaboration

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, Helps students plan their educational experience based on their career goals. Allows students to achieve success by preparing them for secondary and postsecondary opportunities. Promotes career preparation for high skill, high wage, or high demand occupations, and active citizenship. 2 AchieveTexas College and Career Initiative

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, Improve student achievement – both academic and technical. Promote successful transitions from secondary to postsecondary education. Support workforce and economic development. AchieveTexas Goals

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, Career Development Spans All Grades 4 Elementary school focuses on understanding the importance and value of work and jobs. Middle school focuses on initial career exploration. High school focuses on programs of study. Postsecondary education or training focuses on career preparation.

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, AchieveTexas is based upon… Concept - Students can succeed in school, career, and life if they plan their own individual college and career success. Philosophy - No career option is intrinsically better than the other. Whether the choice is right or not depends on the personal goals of the student. Goal - To prepare students for college and career, and allow them to choose the options that are best for them.

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, AchieveTexas Framework… Supports numerous reform initiatives and educational programs, Career Guidance Expectations Career Academies High Schools That Work Small Learning Communities Regional Career Centers Magnet Schools Project Lead The Way Texas Scholars

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, Exit Level TAKS, 2008 Percent Met Standard Code 0Code 1Code 2Code 3 ELA91%89%91%93% Math79%75%79%83% Science81%77%81%83% Social Studies 95%94%95%97%

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, AchieveTexas Components 16 National Career Clusters 79 Programs of Study (POS) 115+ Models illustrating the POS Available at 6 Governor’s Industry Clusters

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, What are Career Clusters? A Career Cluster represents a grouping of occupations based on common knowledge and skills required for career success. Developed in 1999 and encompass virtually all occupations from entry level, through professional. The 16 Career Clusters are an organizational tool for communities to offer effective preparation for college and a 21 st Century Workforce.

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, Cluster Knowledge and Skills Academic Foundations Technical Skills Communications Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Information Technology Applications Systems Safety, Health and Environmental Leadership and Teamwork Ethics and Legal Responsibilities Employability and Career Development

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, What are Programs of Study? A sub-grouping of occupations within a cluster based on commonalities—there are 79 sub- groupings. A coherent, articulated sequence of rigorous academic and technical courses that help students prepare for their education and career goals. Developed, implemented, and maintained in partnership among students, parents, secondary and postsecondary education, business, and employers.

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, Governor’s Industry Clusters for Economic Development The following careers have been classified as High Demand, High Skill, and High Wage. 1. Advanced Technologies and Manufacturing 2. Aerospace and Defense 3. Biotechnology and Life Sciences 4. Information and Computer Technology 5. Petroleum Refining and Chemical Products 6. Energy

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, Social Studies TEKS Kindergarten - (7) Economics. The student understands the importance of jobs. The student is expected to: (A) identify jobs in the home, school, and community; and (B) explain why people have jobs. 13

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, Social Studies TEKS Grade 1 (9) Economics. The student understands the value of work. The student is expected to: (A) describe the requirements of various jobs and the characteristics of a job well-performed; and (B) describe how specialized jobs contribute to the production of goods and services. (16) Science, technology, and society. The student understands how technology has affected daily life, past and present. The student is expected to: (C) describe how technology has changed the way people work. 14

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, Social Studies TEKS Grade 2 (9) Economics. The student understands the importance of work. The student is expected to: (A) explain how work provides income to purchase goods and services; and (B) explain the choices people in the U.S. free enterprise system can make about earning, spending, and saving money, and where to live and work. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All Rights Reserved. 15

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, Social Studies TEKS Grade 4 (13) Economics. The student understands patterns of work and economic activities in Texas. The student is expected to: (A) explain how people in different regions of Texas earn their living, past and present; Grade 5 (14) Economics. The student understands patterns of work and economic activities in the United States. The student is expected to: (A) analyze how people in different parts of the United States earn a living, past and present; Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All Rights Reserved. 16

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, Implementation Expectations  The goal is for school districts to implement by  Full implementation means that all of 8 Steps in the Implementation Guide are in place on the local level.

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, Implementation Guide

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, Steps for System Building 1. Decide to implement AchieveTexas 2. Career Awareness, Exploration, Concentration, Preparation, and Advancement 3. Add Texas Achievement Plans (TAP) 4. Enhance guidance and counseling 5. Build seamless connections 6. Establish extended learning 7. Build strong partnerships 8. Support intense professional development

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, Programs of Study Models Aligned with rigorous academic standards and student achievement standards. Include Academic and CTE content in a coordinated, non-duplicative progression of courses. Relevant and challenging at the secondary and postsecondary level. Reflect employment opportunities in high skill, high wage, or high demand occupations. Offer opportunities for dual credit. Lead to a degree, certificate, or credential.

AchieveTexas Programs of Study 115+ Models Available

What is a Program of Study ? 1. Nationally recognized logos identify the Career Cluster for each model.

What is a Program of Study ? 2. Program of Study names, established in the State's Career Cluster Initiative ( ), head each model. They focus attention upon a specific career field within a cluster.

What is a Program of Study ? 3. Cluster Overviews maintain the 16 U.S. Department of Education Career Cluster definitions.

What is a Program of Study ? 4. Career goals shown here correlate with occupational names and O*NET codes used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Use OSCAR ( to begin investigating those careers of interest. The "goal" of models is to target In-Demand jobs.

What is a Program of Study ? 5. Career Options provide examples of contemporary job titles currently appearing in sources, such as WorkInTexas ( Jobs are correlated to the postsecondary education typically required for a career.

What is a Program of Study ? 6. High School Suggested Coursework highlights the Core Courses and Career-Related Electives recommended to prepare for a career goal. Models are based on the Recommended High School Graduation Plan and can easily be adapted for the Distinguished Achievement High School Graduation Plan. With established models it is easier to anticipate the consequence of curriculum changes, such as when legislation recently increased math and science requirements, or whenever a student decides to modify her/his TAP.

What is a Program of Study ? 7. Certificates shown on the models are associated with specific courses. Use the Certification Finder at Career InfoNet ( to investigate post-secondary certifications.

What is a Program of Study ? 8. Example Postsecondary program names are identified from the Associates level through Graduate Degrees. Names are based upon the CIP Code Names. Could be edited to highlight local articulation partners.

What is a Program of Study ? 9. Extended Learning Experiences include Work-Based Learning, Curricular, and Extracurricular activities. Participation in and support of Career and Technical Student Organizations (i.e. BPA, DECA, FBLA, FCCLA, FFA, TSA, HOSA, or SkillsUSA) is especially important to AchieveTexas. While campuses might modify their list of Extracurricular and Service Learning Experiences, examples should always cohesively extend meaningful learning in settings suitable and safe for students. Students could record volunteer service in their portfolios, or participate in a program such as The President's Volunteer Service Award ( ds.org/index.cfm) where school groups may, likewise, record their service hours. ds.org/index.cfm

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, Texas Achievement Plan Steps for Students 1. Ask students to prepare in advance. Equip students with the resources to begin developing their personalized program of study. 2. Help students choose a cluster. Match student strengths and interests to related careers. 3. Help students pick a program of study. Refer to the State-recognized programs of study for suggested academic courses, career electives, and postsecondary options.

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, Texas Achievement Plan Steps for Students Continued 4. Help students identify a career goal. Communicate to students that working toward a tangible result makes school more relevant. 5. Help students identify a postsecondary goal. Reinforce the value of lifelong learning by planning for education and training after high school.

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, Texas Achievement Plan Steps for Students Continued 6. Help students design a course schedule. Explain that rigorous academic and relevant career classes ensure students can achieve their goals. 7. Encourage extended learning activities. Show students how out-of-class experiences enhance and expand curriculum.

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, Career Education Resources 16 College and Career Planning Guides Available in Electronic Magazine Format on Counselor Resource Guide Poster Resource CD-Rom

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, College and Career Guides 16 Cluster Guides

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, Each Cluster Guide Includes: TEA Introduction Governor’s Industry Clusters Career Planning Information Career Clusters and Programs of Study Texas Achievement Plan

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, And more great information… Cluster Profile Career Information What Employers Want Cool Careers Spotlight on schools Extended learning options

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, Still More Information… Portfolio development Postsecondary education programs College admissions Financial Aid Career resources

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, The Resource Guide…

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, Talking to Students about AchieveTexas 1. It’s all about them. 2. Exploring career options. 3. Making school matter. 4. Making a plan. 5. Getting a head start. 6. Rising to the top of the pool. 7. Making their diploma worth more.

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, Talking to Parents about AchieveTexas 1. Connecting classroom to careers. 2. Every student benefits. 3. Designed to fit each student. 4. Providing direction 5. Taking responsibility. 6. Meeting state standards. 7. Flexibility. 8. Parents play a key role.

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, Website Resources for Career Education America's Career Research Network States’ Career Cluster Initiative America’s Career InfoNet Career Voyages CollegeforTexans.com O*NET (Occupational Information Network) online.onetcenter.org online.onetcenter.org Reality Check eck/ eck/ Texas Workforce Commission U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook

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Copyright © Texas Education Agency, Elementary School Career Resources Currently limited resources Collaboration between CTE and Social Studies for resource development Resources that address an understanding of work and jobs 49

Elementary level activities workbook Activities are intended to be fun and challenging. Designed around the building blocks of the elementary National Career Development Guidelines with the goal of raising career awareness. 50 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All Rights Reserved.

Middle School Tabloid Exploration Generate Alternatives Parent’s Guide Predict Outcomes Select An Option Re-Evaluation Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), Labor Market and Career Information (LMCI), and Career Development Resources (CDR) Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All Rights Reserved. 51

52 High School Tabloid Step 1: Engage Step 2: Understand Step 3: Explore Step 4: Evaluate Step 5: Act Step 6: Reflect Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), Labor Market and Career Information (LMCI), and Career Development Resources (CDR) Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All Rights Reserved.