A grouping of occupations and broad industries into a national classification of 16 clusters that are based upon common knowledge and skills. Career clusters include hundreds of occupations that may be grouped into pathways around which educational programs of study can be built.
The organizing structure for the 16 career clusters and 38 pathways. The fields represent the broadest aggregation of careers. Students are normally exposed to career field exploration in middle school and early high school.
An organization of related occupational areas within a specific career cluster. These pathways have identified knowledge and skills validated by industry from which programs and programs of study are developed.
A planned program of courses and learning experiences that:
A student who has completed three (3) Carnegie units of credit in grades 9-12 including all the required core courses in a career focus/program of study and graduated from high school. If core classes are taught below ninth grade level, they may fulfill the course requirement for completer status, however three units must be taken during grade 9-12. See lists of courses and grade levels at which they may be taught in each area's section of this handbook.
Tangible, nonexpendable, personal property having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of $1,000 or more per unit.
Equipment and program specific supplies and software that are required for approval and operation of pathway program of study and foundation courses.
A student who is enrolled in a career and technical course during the reporting period.
Sustained, intensive, and focused opportunities for administrators, teachers, and faculty foster POS design, implementation, and maintenance.
The use of "shall" in these regulations indicates that the activity is mandatory.
Adult skills training classes offered on a short-term basis for the purpose of training and upgrading the workforce.
PROGRAM APPROVAL is reviewed annually. Programs granted approval status shall:
* follow all policies and procedures,
* parti cipate in end-of-course assessment,
* meet or show improvement in documented performance indicators,
* remove all critical elements identified in technical assistance visits,
* submit program approval information through the ACE Teacher Information System by listed dates, and follow all required program guidelines.
Schools may offer for graduation credit, only career and technical classes approved by ACE.
The following items will be reviewed annually to maintain program continuation:
* funds available
* state priority
* rubric evaluation
proposed technical programs in local districts located within a 25 mile radius or within 30 minutes travel time (one way) of a technical career center offering the same program
* A minimum enrollment of eight participants is required for approval of the class.
* A minimum of six (6) hours and a maximum of 60 hours of instruction are required for approval courses.
* Applications (Form WE-6) for adult classes are to be submitted to the applicable occupational program manager a minimum of two weeks prior to the beginning of the proposed class. (No classes will be approved after May 1.)
* The applicable occupational program manager will notify the local school administrator/faculty/institution of approval/disapproval of the class.
* Reimbursement of faculty salaries to the local entity will be initiated after the Class Enrollment Report (WE-PD-19) is received by the program manager. (All reimbursement requests must be received by May 30.)
* Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
* Architecture & Construction
* Arts, A/V Technology & Communications
* Business, Management & Administration
* Education & Training
* Finance
* Government & Public Administration
* Health Science
* Hospitality & Tourism
* Human Services
* Information Technology
* Law, Public Safety & Security
* Manufacturing
* Marketing, Sales & Service
* Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
* Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
The request:
* shall document need and expected outcomes,
* shall have input from postsecondary and industry representation,
* shall be submitted to the Deputy Director of Career and Technical Education, and
* shall not be initiated until written approval is received.
Upon completion of the eighth grade, each student shall have on file a four-year Career Development Portfolio, either hardcopy or electronic format, which includes secondary courses to be taken. At least two years of postsecondary education planning is recommended. The career plan shall be revisited each year for any necessary adjustments. Parents/guardians shall be involved in the education and career planning process, with signatures documenting involvement each year.
All concurrent credit courses offered for high school graduation (required 22 units) credit must have approval and alignment from ACE.
Work based learning combines classroom instruction with alternating periods of on-the-job training occupation related to the student's career goal. Training sponsors are selected to coordinate the learning experiences provided on the job. Training plans are developed cooperatively by the teacher/coordinator and the training sponsor (employer) to ensure the development of required competencies. Students may be paid and shall be given academic credit.
Students shall be sixteen (16) years of age to meet labor law requirements.
* one supervision period for 1-25 students,
* two supervision periods for 26-50 students, and
* three supervision periods for 51 or more students.
The conference period may count as one of the three (3) supervision periods.
* one supervision period for 1-15,
* two supervision periods for 16-30 students, and
* three supervision periods for 31 or more students.
The conference period may count as one of the three (3) supervision periods.
Local school districts' and secondary technical career centers' governing authorities shall have the option of extending the length of career and technical teachers' contracts beyond the minimum number of contract days required by the Standards for Accreditation of Public Schools.
Exception: State law requires twelve (12) -month contracts for agriculture teachers.
It is recommended that three (3) units per year be given-one (1) unit for the related class and two (2) units for the 270 per semester/540 per year hours of on-the-job training required.
Each teacher shall follow State curriculum/content frameworks for each course approved by ACE.
Facility requirements must meet ADE guidelines (http://arkansasfacilities.arkansas.gov). Equipment requirements may be obtained from the appropriate program section and must be met within the specified time for program approval.
The federal funds received through the Department must be used to improve CTE programs and services for students enrolled in the program. Federal rules and regulations along with the state's Plan for the funds must be followed. Pertinent information regarding the federal CTE federal funds may be obtained through the Perkins Coordinator Manual and the State's Five-Year Plan (posted on the Department's website) and through the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education.
Foundation courses are those classes that encompass the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in any selected career and technical program. These courses are prerequisite in nature and required for all career and technical program approvals as defined by the Department of Career Education.
Instructors shall attend ACE required training for program start-up and/or annual approval.
Information is necessary via various reports and shall be submitted by due date. Refer to program area operational guides for program-specific reports.
The following programs of study must maintain accreditation by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF):
Arkansas public schools are required to offer nine (9) units of Career and Technical Education.
Schools who do not offer these programs on campus may utilize public schools, technical career centers, or postsecondary institutions.
If occupational programs are offered off-site to fulfill the required three (3) occupational programs, the school must provide students transportation, sufficient time to complete a three-unit program of study, and sufficient effort to provide these opportunities to students. Students must be enrolled in the program to count toward the three (3) required.
The Department provides end-of-course assessments for the core required courses of the CTE programs of study. Districts with students enrolled in any of the assessed courses are required to test students through the web-based assessment system. The assessment results shall be used to guide program improvement. Along with industry-credentials/certifications, the end-of-course assessment data is used to determine achievement for the technical skill attainment performance indicator required by the federal Perkins Act. These results are published annually on the CTE School Report Card.
The career and technical student organization(s) (CTSO):
* shall be an integral part of the career and technical education program(s) offered in each school and shall follow the applicable guidelines, goals, objectives, and participate in activities of the appropriate state and/or national student organization for each program;
* shall be supervised by career and technical personnel in the applicable occupational area.
ACE will continue to inform school administration of current policies regarding gender equity, discrimination and nontraditional training with the intention that these policies will be infused into the local curriculum and instruction. Onsite monitoring of selected programs is required by federal law.
Arkansas Career and Technical teachers in the areas of Agriculture and Science Technology, Business Technology, Marketing Technology, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Industrial Technology Education will be licensed through the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE)
Must complete Driver Education I, II, and First Aide (2 sem. hrs. each). The instructor must also complete the Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching 7-12 with a minimum score of 164.
Instructors who desire to teach identified courses, which require specific training not offered through Career and Technical approved programs of study, may receive added endorsement to an existing teaching license by completing the requirements identified for the following course specific-areas. Specific requirements for each course are found in the related section of the program policies and procedures for secondary career and technical programs.
Applications for these endorsements should be made to the Deputy Director for Career and Technical Education, ACE. Following documentation of the completion of individual requirements, a recommendation will be made to ADE Professional Licensure section to add related endorsements.
* Career Academy Endorsement (410) (grades7-12)
Keystone (grades 9-10)
* Career Orientation (411) (grades 7-8) and Career Development Endorsement (418) (grades 4-8)
* Career Preparation (412) (grades 7-12)
* Career Services for Special Populations (413) (grades 7-12)
Jobs for Arkansas' Graduates
STRIVE (Students and Teachers Responsibly Integrating Vocational
Education)
* Integrated Academics Endorsement
Physics in Context (PIC)
Principles of Technology (PT)
Project Lead the Way Specialization Courses
Education - Career Orientation/Career Development teachers who are not certified counselors shall have a valid secondary or middle school teaching license or be enrolled in the non-traditional licensure program.
Endorsement - In addition to the licensing requirements, completion of the following coursework or the mentorship training program is required and must be completed prior to teaching Career Orientation or Career Development a second year:
Three semester hours of "Methods of Teaching Career Development" OR Mentorship Training Program
Counselors who teach Career Orientation shall meet state licensing standards and the mentorship training program
Education - The instructor shall maintain a valid 7-12 teaching license or be enrolled in the non-traditional licensure program.
Endorsement - The instructor shall:
* Complete a mentorship training program designed and approved by ACE under an approved model trainer
OR
* Complete approved coursework (Methods of Teaching Career Preparation) prior to the second year of teaching in this area.
* Attend the Career Development New Teacher Endorsement Workshop provided by ACE.
The JAG Specialist is to be secondary licensed in a career and technical or any core academic area and endorsed through the completion of program management training developed and approved by the Department of Career Education.
It is strongly recommended that during the first year of operation the JAG Specialist be employed on a contract of a minimum of 215 days. It is also strongly recommended that during each subsequent year the Specialist be employed on a contract of a minimum of 225 days.
For new programs it is the school administrator's responsibility to assemble a team of visionaries to design the course. The team shall include qualified counselor(s), administrators and both academic and career and technical certified teachers. The goal of the team shall be to establish the local guidelines and content for the Keystone course.
Annual professional development shall be held during which time the process shall be revisited. Newly recruited teachers shall participate in evaluating and modifying the Keystone course with veteran team members.
Education - The Keystone instructor shall maintain a valid 7-12 teaching license or be enrolled in the non-traditional licensure program.
Endorsement - The Keystone instructor shall:
* Complete or be enrolled in a mentorship training program approved by ACE under an approved model trainer to be completed before the end of the first semester of teaching Keystone.
* Attend the Career Guidance New Teacher Endorsement Workshop provided by ACE.
A qualified teacher of Physics in Context/Principles of Technology shall
* Hold a valid teaching license, be licensed in Physical - Earth Science (A.Y.A) in secondary education, or be licensed in physics or have physics approval
* Complete the required Department of Career Education workshop in teaching methods for the classes they plan to teach.
A qualified teacher of Project Lead the Way (PLTW): Pre-Engineering and Gateway to Technology shall;
A qualified teacher of Project Lead the Way (PLTW): Biomedical Sciences shall;
* Have successfully completed at least two semesters of college-level biology with a laboratory and have experience in the techniques and methods of modern biology, molecular biology, or physiology
* Complete the required training for each of the specific courses to be taught
A qualified teacher of Engineering Technology Education (ETE);
* Shall hold a teaching license in Industrial/Technology Education or hold a bachelor's degree and be certified in another area
* A certified teacher from another area may teach Engineering Technology Education with a passing score of 159 on the Praxis II Technology Education test
* Two year's work experience in a trade, technical, or industrial area
* Minimum of twelve credit hours or 180 clock hours in career and technical teacher education courses required (six hours of career and technical teacher education courses must related specifically to Industrial Technology)
The STRIVE instructor is to be secondary licensed in any vocational area and/or either hold certification in Reading, Math, Language Arts, or Special Education and endorsed through the completion of program management training developed and approved by the Department of Career Education.
Existing PROVE instructors with teaching certificates may "grandfather" as STRIVE instructors. Instructors endorsed in CCVE and who hold teaching certificates may "grandfather" as STRIVE instructors upon completing the program management training.
The Grade 5/6 Business Technology Endorsement candidate must be a licensed teacher in Arkansas and will complete the ACE approved professional development.
Experienced professionals may be issued a career and technical education provisional permit. The minimum requirements include a minimum of an Associate's Degree with two years of relevant work experience in the specialty area to be taught or four years of relevant work experience in the specialty area to be taught. Minimum education requirements/work experience shall be met prior to employment in the teaching specialty, verification of high school diploma or General Education Equivalency. All candidates must pass the required background checks.
Candidates must submit the following documents to the ADE Office of Educator Licensure:
Provisional permits will be valid for one (1) year from the applicants hire date. A second one (1) year provisional permit can be issued, if necessary, to allow additional time for completion of the specialty area requirements to obtain a standard 5-year permit. A new application shall be submitted for permit renewal.
PERMIT AREAS:
211 Engineering Technology Ed (7-8)
212 Engineering Technology Ed (9-12)
567 Automotive Collision Repair
568 Automotive Service Technology
569 Aviation Mechanics
570 Construction Technology
571 Advertising Design
572 Computer Engineering
573 Cosmetology
574 Diesel Mechanics
575 Drafting & Design
576 Dry-cleaning Laboratory
577 Electronics
578 Heating Vent A/C
579 Exploring Industrial Tech Ed
580 Culinary Arts & Chef Prep
581 Furniture/Cabinet Making
582 Graphic Communication
583 Industrial Control Technology
584 Industrial Cooperative Training
585 Industrial Equipment Maintenance
586 Instrumentation
587 Machine Tool Technology
588 Major Appliance Repair
589 Meat Processing
590 Piano Tuning
591 Radio & Television Broadcasting
592 Robotics
593 Power Equipment Technology
594 Surveying
595 Television Broadcasting
596 Textiles
597 Welding
598 Food Production Mgmt. & Serv.
599 Exploratory Trades and Industry
600 Cashier/Checker Instruction
601 Truck Driving
602 Commercial Photography
603 Criminal Justice
604 Horticulture
605 Forestry
606 Pre-Engineering
607 Geospatial Technology
608 Marine Mechanics
609 Pulp and Paper Science
610 Child Care
611 Medical Professions
612 JROTC
613 Performing Arts - Dance
614 Power Sports
615 Legal Services
616 Advanced Manufacturing
618 Communication
619 Petroleum Production
620 Renewable Energy Technology 625 Sports Medicine
628 Career-Aerospace Engineering (11-12)
629 Career-Biotechnical Engineering (11-12)
630 Career-Civil Engineering and Architecture (11-12)
631 Career-Computer Integrated Manufacturing (11-12)
632 Career-Digital Electronics (11-12)
633 Career-Capstone Course: Engineering Design and Development (12)
634 Foundational: Career-Automation & Robotics (7-8)
635 Foundational: Career-Design and Modeling (7-8)
636 Career-Energy and the Environment (7-8)
637 Career-Flight and Space (7-8)
638 Career-Green Architecture (7-8)
639 Career-Magic of Electrons (7-8)
640 Career-Medical Detectives (7-8)
641 Career-Science of Technology(7-8)
642 Career-Principles of Biomedical Sciences (9-12)
643 Career-Human Body Systems (9-12)
644 Career-Medical Interventions (9-12)
645 Career-Biomedical Innovations (9-12)
646 Foundational: Career-Principles of Engineering (10-11)
647 Foundational: Career-Introduction to Engineering Design (9-10)
Standard 5-year permit requirements:
Additional permit requirements:
Standard 5-year permit requirements:
The following requirements shall be completed by all Skilled and Technical Sciences program instructors:
Additional Requirements for Skilled and Technical Specialty Areas
* NCCER Certification
* NOCTI Assessment
* Hold a Current Professional Medical License
* Licensed in Arkansas to practice Athletic Training
* ASE Certification in the specific areas taught
Concurrent credit classes offered for high school career and technical credit in a secondary area technical center operated by a post-secondary institution must have approval and course alignment by ACE.
An ACE approved concurrent credit course number to be used by high schools to identify concurrent college classes will be issued following submission of course alignment approval request submitted to the deputy director for career and technical education. Three (3) hour college credit classes will normally align with 1 credit secondary courses.
Technical instructors teaching at a secondary area technical center operated by a two-year community/technical college shall have a minimum of an associate degree within the area of instruction, have completed all necessary background checks, and meet all college accrediting standards for instructors. Secondary area technical centers should submit documentation of these records to the Office of Workforce Training, ACE. Centers will annually submit a list of instructors providing concurrent credit and meeting the above requirements will be given an annual waiver from teacher licensure requirements. Those instructors not meeting these requirements or instructors teaching non-concurrent credit classes must hold an Arkansas Teacher's License/Technical Permit.
Apprenticeship is a structured training and educational system designed to prepare individuals for specific occupations. It combines on-the-job training (OJT) under the supervision of experienced journey workers at the work site along with education conducted by qualified instructors in related classroom instruction. Apprenticeship programs are driven by business and industry employers who specify the competencies or processes required for mastery in the occupations; these become the standards for which the apprentices will master. Apprenticeship programs require, at minimum, one year of training and education, but usually require four or five years. Specific apprenticeship programs require registry with the U.S. Department of Labor/Office of Apprenticeship (USDOL/OA). Apprentices who successfully complete the prescribed number of hours in OJT, classroom instruction in a registered apprenticeship program, and pass required tests are awarded certificates of completion and considered journeyman. Apprentices may also receive post-secondary certificates, diplomas, and degrees as a result of completing their specific apprenticeship program.
Qualifications of the apprentice vary according to the requirements of the occupation. However, all apprenticeship programs require applicants to be at least 16 years old and physically able to perform the job. All programs prefer and most require a high school diploma or equivalent certificate.
The State of Arkansas recognizes the significance of apprenticeship programs in enhancing the skill levels of the employees and workers in Arkansas businesses and industries. Three methods of providing improvement funds are available for employers and apprentices: Traditional Apprenticeship, Youth Apprenticeship, and Construction Training.
The term "Traditional Apprenticeship" is used to designate the adult apprenticeship programs that are registered with the USDOL/OA and that receive State Improvement Funds based upon hours of related classroom instruction. These programs are operated by employers, employer associations, or jointly by management and labor on a voluntary basis. The State Apprenticeship Office (SAO), within ACE, monitors the related classroom instruction portion of USDOL/OA registered apprenticeship programs that apply and are approved for State Improvement Funds.
The Arkansas Apprenticeship Coordination Steering Committee (AACSC) provides guidance to and coordinates with the SAO to effectively promote and enhance apprenticeship programs in Arkansas. The AACSC is composed of 20 voting members, appointed by the Governor's Office, from business/industry, labor, education, and female minority sector, and six non-voting, advisory members appointed by government and education agencies.
Teachers or instructors of Traditional Apprenticeship related classroom instruction are chosen by the local apprenticeship committee based upon the instructor's experience and teaching abilities. Instructors are usually selected from the technical programs at high schools, technical institutes or colleges, and business/industry companies. The instructional materials are frequently developed by and available from labor associations and curriculum centers or developed locally by the employers and experienced journey workers.
The standards (or implementation plan) for each apprenticeship program is written in a specific format by the local committee and submitted to the USDOL/OA for approval and registry. This document states how and when the learning processes will occur, what the responsibilities are of the employer and apprentice, and what wages will be awarded upon completion of each level of mastery. The employer and apprentice then sign their respective employer agreement and apprentice agreement which are also registered with the USDOL/OA. If an apprenticeship program is properly registered with the USDOL/OA then the program is eligible to apply for State Improvement Funds.
The term "Youth Apprenticeship" is a shorten version of the term Youth Apprenticeship/Work-Based Learning or YA/WBL. These terms designate the high school and post-secondary youth apprenticeship programs that are approved by the Department of Career Education/State Apprenticeship Office (ACE/SAO) and that receive State Improvement Funds based upon a performance based budget. The youth apprentice or work-based learning student is usually 16 to 21 years old, entered the YA/WBL program while in high school, has a six year career plan that includes high school and post-secondary education and training, agreed to a three year (minimum) apprenticeship program, and will obtain not only certification/license in his/her occupation but a high school diploma and a post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree. These programs are operated by consortia of employers, employer associations, and educational institutions. The SAO monitors and provides guidance, in both the training and education portions, to youth apprenticeship consortia that apply and are approved for State Improvement Funds.
The instructors in YA/WBL programs are usually secondary licensed or team-teach with a secondary licensed teacher so that the youth apprentice will receive high school credit toward graduation. These instructors are usually selected from the technical programs at high schools, technical institutes or colleges, and business/industry companies. The instructional materials are usually in place at participating high and post-secondary schools, but are sometimes acquired from labor associations, professional associations, and curriculum centers. In a few cases the instructional materials are developed locally by the employers, experienced journey workers, and the high and post-secondary instructors. In either case, the applicable or program manager at the Department of Career Education/Career and Technical Education will review and approve the instructional materials.
The implementation plan for each occupational apprenticeship program, the employer agreements, the apprentice agreements, and the apprentice six year career plans will be completed and maintained at the YA/WBL consortia for review and approval by the SAO. Additionally, the YA/WBL apprenticeship consortia are expected to achieve and maintain seven common design principles and six essential elements to be approved for State Improvement Funds.
The seven common design principles are:
The six essential elements are:
Approved YA/WBL consortia are also expected to submit quarterly narrative and expenditure reports by the 15th day following the closeout of a yearly quarter and to maintain an efficient program with a performance based budget.
The Construction Industry Training Education Program (pursuant to Act 474 of 1999) is designed to assist the construction industry in Arkansas to develop and improve the competencies and skill levels of their employees. Monies for this program are acquired from a construction permit surcharge and are available to qualified construction programs that apply to the Department of Career Education/State Apprenticeship Office. Most of the approved applicants are adult apprenticeship programs but some are area technical centers, high schools, technical schools and colleges associated with adult apprenticeship programs. Specific funds (20% of the total funds) are set aside each year for the infusion of curriculum into the public schools as well as the construction education institutions of Arkansas.
Rules and Regulations outline the application and award process. To qualify, the program must be performing actual work in Arkansas, the training must occur in Arkansas, and the applicant should be currently sponsoring a training, apprenticeship, or educational program in Arkansas that is approved by or registered with the State Apprenticeship Office and/or the United States Department of Labor/Office of Apprenticeship. The State Apprenticeship Office and the Arkansas Apprenticeship Coordination Steering Committee review the applications.
172.00.15 Ark. Code R. 002