ACTE Standard 1 - This element addresses the development, implementation, and revision of the program of study curriculum, including the relevant knowledge and skills taught in the program and the standards on which they are based.
The curriculum is based on industry-validated technical standards and competencies.
The curriculum is aligned with relevant content and standards for core subjects, such as reading, math, and science, including federal, state, and/or local standards, as appropriate.
The curriculum incorporates employability skill standards that help students succeed in the workplace, such as problem solving, critical thinking, teamwork, communications, and workplace etiquette.
The program of study curriculum is developed with employer input to prepare students for both further education and in-demand and emerging careers.
The curriculum allows for student application of integrated knowledge and skills in authentic scenarios.
Program of study standards are publicly available and accessible to students, parents/guardians (as appropriate), partners, and the public.
The curriculum is reviewed regularly by all relevant stakeholders and revised as necessary to reflect the latest advances in the industry, evidence-based program models, and evaluations of student performance.
ACTE Standard 2 - This element addresses the key components of the definition of a program of study and the articulation, coordination, and collaboration that support programs of study, career pathways, and accelerated learning.
The program of study includes a sequence of courses and/or competencies across secondary and postsecondary education that incorporates technical, academic, and employability knowledge and skills.
The program of study starts with broad foundational knowledge and skills and progresses in specificity to build students’ depth of knowledge and skills.
Content and standards within the program of study are non-duplicative and vertically aligned to prepare students to transition seamlessly to the next level of education.
The program of study sequence leads to one or more recognized postsecondary credentials, including industry certifications, licenses, apprenticeship certificates, postsecondary certificates, and degrees.
The program of study allows for multiple entry and exit points that incorporate recognized postsecondary credentials.
Students in the program of study have opportunities to earn credit that articulates to the next level of education, such as through dual or concurrent enrollment programs or stackable credentials.
Secondary and postsecondary CTE staff collaborate regularly on course sequencing, vertical alignment, and opportunities for credit transfer agreements.
The program of study is coordinated with broader career pathways systems, as defined in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, as appropriate and available.
ACTE Standard 3 - This element addresses the types and quality of assessments used in the program of study, including the types of knowledge and skills that should be assessed, and assessments that lead to recognized postsecondary credentials.
Formative and summative assessments are integrated throughout the program of study to validate student learning gains, including both classroom/school-based and standardized, third-party assessments, as appropriate.
Assessments are aligned to program standards and curriculum and appropriate to students’ current level of knowledge and skill attainment.
Assessments are valid, reliable, and developed or chosen in accordance with relevant quality standards.
The program of study incorporates multiple forms of assessment, including performance-based assessment, where students must demonstrate the application of their knowledge and skills.
Assessments within the program of study provide objective information on student attainment of industry-validated technical knowledge and skills.
Assessments within the program of study provide objective information on student attainment of academic knowledge and skills.
Assessments within the program of study provide objective information on student attainment of employability knowledge and skills.
The program of study prepares students for assessments that lead to recognized postsecondary credentials, as available and appropriate.
ACTE Standard 4 - This element addresses the qualifications and professional development of program of study staff, including secondary CTE teachers, postsecondary CTE faculty, administrators, and other personnel.
CTE staff supporting the program of study meet appropriate state, district, and/ or institution certification and licensing requirements.
CTE educators maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills across all aspects of an industry.
CTE educators maintain relevant evidence-based pedagogical knowledge and skills.
CTE staff engage in ongoing, rigorous professional development on a wide range of topics covering all elements of a high-quality program of study, as described in ACTE’s Quality CTE Program of Study Framework, which might include pursuit of advanced educator certification.
CTE staff demonstrate leadership and commitment to the profession.
CTE administrators ensure that other program staff have the time, resources, and support to implement each element of a high-quality program of study, as described in ACTE’s Quality CTE Program of Study Framework.
CTE and academic staff collaborate regularly and frequently to coordinate curriculum, instruction, assessment, and extended learning activities and to analyze data for program improvement.