200 R.I. Code R. 200-RICR-20-10-3.2

Current through December 3, 2024

Section 200-RICR-20-10-3.2 - AUTHORITY, SCOPE, AND PURPOSE

A. The Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education (Board of Regents), pursuant to its delegated statutory authority under R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 16-45 to establish and manage a state Career and Technical Education (CTE) system, promulgate these Regulations of the Rhode Island Board of Regents Governing Career and Technical Education (Regulations).

B. In furtherance of the policy set forth in R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 16-45, the purpose of these Regulations is to establish a comprehensive and coherent Career and Technical Education System (CTE System) that: provides students exposure to the world of work; offers students the opportunity to learn rigorous technical and career-based skills that are aligned to industry standards; and through the earning of credentials, prepares students for a seamless transition to postsecondary education and training programs and/or careers.

C. The CTE System shall provide career and technical education opportunities through a diverse delivery system. Career and technical education can be delivered in a wide array of settings including but not limited to traditional classrooms, comprehensive high schools, work- and field- based settings, career and technical centers, and virtual and electronic media. This diverse delivery system shall promote program growth while at the same time, maintain and improve the quality of Rhode Island's career preparation programs.

D. The CTE System shall forge and maintain partnerships with higher education, technical training programs, workforce and economic development initiatives, and regional business and industry. Through these partnerships, RIDE will promote and systemically manage career pathways in critical and emerging industries and provide education and training programs that are responsive to the needs of students, business, industry, and the regional economy.

E. These Regulations, along with other Board of Regents' regulations, standards, and applicable state statutes, are designed to promote and advance three career and technical education principles:

1. Rhode Island's CTE System will prepare learners for postsecondary education and careers resulting in employment that provides family-sustaining wages.

2. Career and Technical Education will support students' postsecondary success through planning, credentialing, industry partnerships, and articulation with higher education and training programs.

3. Rhode Island's CTE System will invest in high-quality, highly effective career preparation programs offered through a diverse statewide delivery system.

3.2.1 Elements of the Career and Technical Education System

A. The CTE System is composed of a spectrum of educational opportunities that include career awareness, career exploration, and career preparation.

B. Career awareness activities include education and counseling programs that help students make informed career choices and inform their decisions to enroll in educational and technical courses of study. Career awareness activities provide opportunities for students to explore the world of work, careers, and specific jobs. Career awareness activities may include, but are not limited to career interest inventories, job searches and job shadowing. Career awareness activities shall follow the guidance provided by the Rhode Island Frameworks for School Counseling.

C. Career exploration activities provide students with both an in-depth, focused investigation of careers and work and the opportunity to experience careers and/or learn basic job skills. Career exploration activities allow students to discover career interests and strengths and to plan the appropriate subjects, courses, disciplines and applied learning skills needed to reach their goals. Career exploration activities can be delivered in a wide array of settings, including but not limited to internships, job-shadow programs, and/or enrollment in one or two introductory career and technical courses.

D. In accordance with section G-14 of the Basic Education Program, all Rhode Island students have the right to access career exploration opportunities. The availability of and access to career exploration activities and career preparation programs for students in secondary grades will be reviewed as part of the Commissioner's review process as set forth in Secondary Design: Middle and High School Learning Environments and the Rhode Island Diploma System (Part 2 of this Subchapter).

E. Career preparation programs are the most intense level of career and technical educational services available to secondary students. Career preparation programs provide students with rigorous academic and technical training and deep preparation for entry into postsecondary education, training programs, and/or careers. Career preparation programs are distinguished from career awareness and career exploration programs and activities by the depth and rigor of the education and technical training provided, the number of contact hours and/or sequenced, non-duplicative courses that focus on skill development in a single career-based or occupational area, and the opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials whenever applicable to the program, and/or postsecondary credits, and/or advanced standing in training programs or jobs. RIDE-approved career preparation programs require review by the RIDE in accordance with § 3.4 of this Part.

3.2.2Career Preparation Programs

A. All RIDE-approved career preparation programs must:

1. Align to state academic standards and career readiness or industry standards;

2. Provide students with the opportunities to complete coursework that contribute to their graduation coursework requirements;

3. Adhere to the career preparation program standards published by RIDE and set forth in § 3.8 of this Part (Appendix 1);

4. Provide participating students the opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials whenever applicable to the program, and/or postsecondary credits, and/or advanced standing in training programs or jobs; and

5. Meet RIDE-established targets for student outcomes including, but not limited to:

a. dropout and graduation rates,

b. credential and/or postsecondary credit-earning rates,

c. program completion rates, and

d. enrollment and persistence in postsecondary education and technical training programs.

B. Career preparation programs take one of two forms:

1. career programs of study or

2. career innovation programs.

C. Career programs of study offer not fewer than three, connected, rigorous non-duplicative career and technical education courses; deliver a curriculum aligned to both state academic and industry standards; provide instruction by appropriately certified and highly trained instructors; and provide industry-recognized credentials whenever applicable to the program, and/or postsecondary credits, and/or advanced standing in postsecondary education and training programs.

D. Career innovation programs offer rigorous, non-duplicative career and technical instruction and provide students the opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials whenever applicable to the program, and/or postsecondary credits, and/or advanced standing in postsecondary education and training programs. Career innovation programs utilize non-traditional educational methods that may include, but are not limited to, instruction in diverse educational settings, utilization of unconventional curriculum and assessment practices, or community or workplace-based education.

E. LEAs seeking RIDE approval as a career innovation preparation program may request adaptation or modification of the RIDE program standards as set forth in § 3.8 of this Part (Appendix 1).

F. Application for standard or criteria modification or adaptation is subject to the following limitations and requirements:

1. Applicants must clearly identify the standards or criteria for which they propose modification or adaptation, describe an alternative method of compliance with the intent of the standard or criteria, and assure equal educational opportunity;

2. Applicants may seek adaptation or modification of only those RIDE program standards identified as eligible in Appendix 1 of these Regulations; and

3. Applicants must complete a RIDE-managed program application process as set forth in §3.4.2 of this Part.

G. All career preparation programs must meet the four requirements set forth in §3.2.2 of this Part.

H. Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-45-6, RIDE shall be responsible for ensuring the quality of all career preparation programs using a quality assurance process described in § 3.4 of this Part.

200 R.I. Code R. 200-RICR-20-10-3.2