Middle School FAQs

What is Career Technical Education?

Career Technical Education (CTE) is a program of study that involves a multiyear sequence of courses that integrate core academic knowledge with technical and occupational knowledge to provide students with a pathway to post-secondary education and careers. This program of study is commonly referred to as a CTE pathway, and all courses must be taken in high school in order to receive academic credits.

What are Career Technical Education Pathways?

CTE pathways are classes organized into specific industry sectors that allow students to experience real world, hands-on learning in high-demand career fields. CTE pathways enable students to thrive in independent and collaborative work environments while helping them develop the personal and professional competencies they will need to be successful in their post-secondary education and future career.

What are the goals for Career Technical Education in Middle School?

PUSD’s goals for middle school students are twofold: 1.) to create K-12 system alignment for all CTE offerings (i.e. courses, extra curricular activities, etc.) to help ensure all students are informed, can participate and ultimately graduate college and career ready; and 2.) to organize middle school CTE classes into to the CTE sectors and pathways defined by the State of California and currently used by our high school CTE classes.