Career Technical Education
Career and Technical Education
Mission Statement
The Career and Technical Education Department of the University Place School District will provide relevant programs of study that prepare each student to thrive in their future career. All University Place CTE courses will prepare students to enter post-secondary education and to meet the needs of today's high-paced, competitive work environment.
21st Century Skills
Career and Technical Education (CTE) believes a comprehensive education culminates in 21st century readiness for college, careers and civic responsibility. We believe in students prepared to flourish in a dynamic, global economy. CTE courses exemplify the intentional synthesis of technical knowledge and skills, traditional academics, and 21st century skills as outlined by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. Advanced economies demand workers able to respond to complex problems, communicate effectively, manage information, work in new teams, produce new knowledge, invent and create. 21st century skills increase the rigor and relevance of leadership and employability integration in CTE courses.
Leadership development has been an integral component of CTE courses in Washington for decades. The leadership skills learned in extra and co‐curricular activities makes an enormously positive impact on the lives of students. Leadership activities have long been one of the items that make CTE courses different (and more valuable) from other courses. CTE has a commitment to continual improvement and continual transformation of programs to meet the changing needs of employers.
21st Century Interdisciplinary Themes:
Global Awareness
Financial, Economic, Business and Entrepreneurial Literacy
Civic Literacy
Health Literacy
Environmental Literacy
Learning and Innovation Skills
Learning and innovation skills are what separate students who are prepared for increasingly complex life and work environments in today's world and those who are not. They include:
Creativity and Innovation
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Communication and Collaboration
Information, Media and Technology Skills
Today, we live in a technology and media‐driven environment, marked by access to abundance of information, rapid changes in technology tools and the ability to collaborate and make inpidual contributions on an unprecedented scale. Effective citizens and workers must be able to exhibit a range of functional and critical thinking skills, such as:
Information Literacy
Media Literacy
ICT (Information, Communications and Technology) Literacy
Life and Career Skills
Today's life and work environments require far more than thinking skills and content knowledge. The ability to navigate the complex life and work environments in the globally competitive information age requires students to pay rigorous attention to developing adequate life and career skills, such as:
Flexibility and Adaptability
Initiative and Self‐Direction
Social and Cross‐Cultural Skills
Productivity and Accountability
Leadership and Responsibility
Course Offerings
Careers in Education (Coaching and Reffing)
Careers in Education (Teaching and Counseling)
Computer Science Essentials
Culinary Arts
Gourmet Foods For Nutrition and Wellness
Advanced Culinary Arts
Fashion Design
Digital Photography
AP 2D Art and Design
Professional Video Production
Advanced Video Production
Introduction to Business and Marketing
Advertising and Entrepreneurship
Retail Store Operations and Management
Law and Society
Leadership/Project Management
Microsoft Office Specialist
Introduction to Engineering (PLTW)
Personal Trainer (Advanced Weight Training)
Principles of Biomedical Science (PLTW)
Human Body Systems (HBS) (PLTW)
Medical Interventions (MI) (PLTW)
NJROTC
Naval Science Drill and Ceremonies
Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drone Pilot Program)
Stagecraft: Cosmetology and Design
Stagecraft: Lighting and Sound
Stagecraft: Tools and Construction
Yearbook Publication
Work Based Learning
WE BELIEVE THAT...
Uses best practices in education to provide authentic application of learning to real‐world situations.
Programs prepare students with life‐long skills for citizenship, career, and college.
Programs should be an opportunity for all students.
Enhances academics including math, language arts, science and humanities.
Holistically integrates core standards to provide valuable learning.
Provides student‐driven and self‐sustaining pathways with a scope and sequence.
Helps students find and connect their vision to their future.
Focuses programs and decisions on what is best for students.
Supports staff and students to develop unique talents, leadership and abilities to make a difference in the world now and in the future
@cte.upsd
Career and Technical Education classes are designed to achieve four key goals for students:
Students earn high school credit.
Students simultaneously earn FREE college credits with our local community and technical colleges. (Bates Technical College, Clover Park Technical College, Pierce College, Seattle Central Community College, and Tacoma Community College)
Students learn marketable job skills in a chosen career field.
Students have the opportunity to enter community college with up to one full year of credits completed saving thousands of dollars if they are able to maintain a "B" average or better in their CTE classes.
We Need Parents, Community and Business Members to Get Involved!
Join us in supporting our students and their CTE pathway, become an advisory committee member.
Click HERE to learn how and why you should become an advisory member.
Non-Discrimination Statement
The University Place School District complies with all federal and state laws, rules, and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin (including language), sex, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, creed, religion, age, veteran or military status, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in student education programs, co-curricular activities, and employment practices. The district is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer encouraging application of qualified minorities, women, and disabled persons for employment and other opportunities. University Place School District is committed to providing access to all District programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. For elevator access at school sites, contact the principal’s office. The University Place School District is a drug-free/smoke-free work place and educational setting. Direct inquiries regarding compliance, grievance, or appeal procedures, or concerns involving students, should be made to the District Affirmative Action Officer/Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator/ Title IX Coordinator/HIB Compliance Officer/Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator, Executive Director of Secondary Education, Lainey Mathews, lmathews@upsd83.org; or Section 504/FAPE/ADA concerns should be made to Executive Director of Special Services, Kelly McClure, kmcclure@upsd83.org. Both can be contacted at (253) 566-5600, 3717 Grandview Drive West, University Place, WA 98466.