Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Tennessee’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs of study are meant to provide a relevant framework of industry-aligned, rigorous courses that progress a student in knowledge and skills year over year. They provide invaluable opportunities for students to experience a subject they are passionate about and explore interests that lead to post-secondary learning and future career paths. These sequenced courses also reflect and support the three credit elective focus requirement for graduation. Level one courses are encouraged to be taken by students in ninth grade.
Program of Studies
Tennessee’s career and technical education (CTE) programs of study are meant to provide a relevant framework of industry-aligned, rigorous courses that progress a student in knowledge and skills year after year. They provide invaluable opportunities for students to experience a subject that they are passionate about and explore interests that lead to postsecondary learning and future career paths. These sequenced courses also reflect and support the three credit elective focus requirement for graduation. Level 1 courses are encouraged to be taken by students in ninth grade; however, districts may make scheduling decisions that work best for their communities and students.
CTE Course Descriptions
CTE courses provide students with an opportunity to develop specific academic, technical, and 21st century skills necessary to be successful in career and in life. In pursuit of ensuring every student in Tennessee achieves this level of success, we begin with rigorous course standards which feed into intentionally designed programs of study. Students engage in industry relevant content through general education integration and experiences such as career & technical student organizations (CTSO) and work-based learning (WBL). Through these experiences, students are immersed with industry standard content and technology, solve industry-based problems, meaningfully interact with industry professionals and use/produce industry specific, informational texts.
Career Clusters
Tennessee's career clusters are organized into 16 broad categories that encompass virtually all occupations from entry through professional levels and are aligned with the U.S. Department of Education's structure of career and technical education (CTE). Career clusters identify the knowledge and skills needed to follow a pathway toward career goals and provide a context for exploring the many occupational options available. Note that each cluster is divided into different pathways that are grouped by the knowledge and skills required for occupations in these career fields.
Career & Technical Student Organizations
(CTSOs)
Career & Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) recognize and promote the concept of well-rounded students as being essential for all students in order for them to assume successful roles in society and in the labor market. In general, CTSOs help to improve the quality and relevance of classroom instruction, develop student leadership, enhance citizenship responsibilities, and serve students of special populations. As such, each CTSO must support a career cluster.
Currently, the department recognizes seven CTSOs that support career and technical education programs. Click here to learn more. TN Dept. of Ed. CTSOs
Industry Credentials
Industry credentials (IC) are earned through secondary and postsecondary career and technical education programs and courses. High school students are encouraged to focus their elective credits on robust, career-aligned learning pathways. Robust learning pathways should culminate with the achievement of nationally recognized industry credentials, meaningful work based learning experiences, and/or attainment of postsecondary credit hours through early postsecondary opportunities. As it pertains to industry credentials, all department-promoted credentials are aligned with postsecondary and employment opportunities and with the competencies and skills that students should have acquired through their chosen programs of study.
Putnam County School System
Career & Technical Education District Contacts
Jackie Vester
Interim CTE Supervisor
jvester@pcsstn.com
Sarah Bos
CTE Clerical/Bookkeeper-Inventory/Reporting
boss@pcsstn.com
Leah Burnett
Academic Career Coach
lburnett@pcsstn.com
Rhonda England
Academic Career Coach