Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Kansas:

Kansas utilizes the National Career Cluster model. Technological advances and global competition have transformed the nature of work. Tomorrows jobs will require additional knowledge, improved skills and highly flexible workers who continually update their knowledge and skills.

The goal of Kansas CTE is to provide students with relevant contexts for learning through pathways to college and career readiness. Career Clusters link what students learn in school to the knowledge and skills they need for success in post-secondary education and careers.

Kansas CTE Major Responsibilities:

Carl D. Perkins Federal Funds:   These funds are available to establish Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that have successfully completed the pathway approval process. The funding is used to improve, expand, enhance and/or modernize existing programs/pathways.

State-Weighted Funding:  Since the 1992 legislative session, .5 state-weighted monies have been available for state-approved career and technical programs. The funding is used to pay for instructor professional development, specialized equipment, and allow for smaller class sizes.

Career Clusters:  The Career Clusters represent a grouping of occupations based on broad industry commonalities. Kansas has 31 pathways representing the 16 occupation clusters. This range of pathways provide opportunities to instruct and guide all students regardless of their career goals and interests... (Additional information: www.careertech.org )

Preparation for Tomorrow: This initiative is a multi-state collaboration to develop project-based curricula. Kansas is developing a four course sequence to expose students to cutting edge STEM content while simultaneously teaching students how to develop and deliver project-based instruction to others.

High Schools That Work (HSTW)/Technology Centers That Work (TCTW):  This initiative is the nation's largest effort to combine challenging academic courses and modern vocational studies to raise the achievement of career-bound high school students. HSTW/TCTW is based on the belief that career-bound students will master complex academic and technical concepts when schools create an environment which encourages students to succeed.