Arkansas Administrative Code › Agency 005 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › Division 30 - Division of Career and Technical Education › Rule 005.30.21-001 - Division of Career and Technical Education Policies and Procedures

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, June, 2024
INTRODUCTION
Two pieces of legislation offered the opportunity to RETHINK
				CTE in Arkansas: At the federal level, the
Carl D. Perkins
				Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the
				21
st
Century Act
(2018)
				commonly referred to as Perkins V is enacted through the Arkansas Perkins V
				State Plan approved by the US Department of Education and State Board of
				Education. At the state level the
Arkansas Transformation and
				Efficiencies Act
(2019), commonly referred to as Transformation, moved
				the Division of Career and Technical Education (DCTE) under the Arkansas
				Department of Education (ADE). Both legislate new resources and approaches to
				preparing all students for college and career success to develop a skilled
				workforce. With the opportunity to rethink CTE in Arkansas comes the
				opportunity to transition to a student-focused, customer-service and equity
				model for excellence in education for all students.
Two specific areas where this will be apparent in addition to
				the Perkins V State Plan are:
1.
Updated Policies and Procedures:
This will set forth for the CTE
			 community the key elements to operate successful programs of study. Under
			 Transformation, Policies and Procedures will be approved by the State Board of
			 Education.
2.
DCTE
			 website:
A new division website
https://dcte.ade.arkansas.gov/
.
			 The website is a companion to this document enabling timely and frequent
			 updates. Content previously available in the 20182020 Operational guide will
			 now be available on the DCTE website.
STATEMENT OF ASSURANCE
All career and technical education opportunities are offered
				without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age. The
				following civil rights laws protect individuals from discrimination in programs
				or activities receiving federal financial assistance:
* Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
* Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
* Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
* Age Discrimination Act of 1975
* IDEA
For Additional Information:
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/reports-resources.html
THE USE of "SHALL"
The use of "shall" indicates that the activity is
				required.
CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION DESIGN AND
				DEVELOPMENT
CTE Participant
An individual at either the secondary or postsecondary level
				who completes at least one CTE course in an approved CTE program or program of
				study.
(AR State Perkins V Plan, Appendix N, p. 154)
CTE
				Participant data is monitored at the state level but is no longer a federal
				accountability measure.
Special Populations
Definitions and policies related to serving students who are
				members of "special populations" shall be in compliance with
Carl D.
				Perkins Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the
				21
st
Century Act
(2018).
				"Special populations" are defined within Perkins V as individuals with
				disabilities; individuals from economically disadvantaged families, including
				low-income youth and adults; individuals preparing for non-traditional fields,
				single parents, including single pregnant women; out-of-workforce individuals;
				English learners; homeless individuals described in section 725 of the
				McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (
				42
				U.S.C. 11434a ); youth who are in, or have
				aged out of, the foster care system; and youth with a parent who is a member of
				the armed forces and is on active duty.
Each student identified as an individual with a disability
				under the guidelines of the Special Education Section of ADE and admitted to a
				career and technical education program(s) or program(s) of study shall have an
				Individualized Education Plan (IEP) developed prior to participating in Career
				and Technical Education.
Each student who meets the criteria for identification as a
				member of a special population shall be provided with vocational assessment,
				guidance, counseling, and career development in order to support his/her
				success in their chosen CTE program or program of study.
Transition services as well as supplemental/support services
				shall be provided as needed to assist students with disabilities in making the
				transition from school to employment.
Arkansas provides focused support for students from special
				populations to ensure they have access to the information they need to make
				informed choices about their college and career pathway. Perkins V focuses on
				equity and access to close gaps in academic achievement and the attainment of
				technical skills for special populations. Programs such as Career Coaches and
				JAG assist with high-risk students and minority students.
A part of focused support for special populations includes CTE
				training for teachers in awareness of Universal Design for Learning, a
				scientifically valid framework for guiding educational practice, providing
				flexibility in how information is presented, how students can respond or
				demonstrate knowledge and skills, and how students are engaged. These practices
				help to reduce barriers in instruction; provide appropriate accommodations,
				supports and challenges; and maintain high achievement expectations for all
				students, including those with disabilities and those who have limited English
				proficiency.
Concentrator
A concentrator is a key component of Perkins V federal
				accountability performance measures. The federal definition states: The term
				'CTE concentrator' means- ''(A) at the secondary school level, a student served
				by an eligible recipient who has completed at least 2 courses in a single
				career and technical education program or program of study; and ''(B) at the
				postsecondary level, a student enrolled in an eligible recipient who has- ''(i)
				earned at least 12 credits within a career and technical education program or
				program of study; or ''(ii) completed such a program if the program encompasses
				fewer than 12 credits or the equivalent in total." A CTE concentrator is a
				student who has completed two (2) courses within a career cluster.
Completer
A completer is not a federal Perkins accountability measure but
				is recognized at the state level. A CTE program of study completer is a student
				who completes at least three (3) courses in a single career and technical
				education program of study. Although industry-recognized certifications are an
				expectation when completing a program or program of study, students may still
				be recognized as a completer if they do not attain an industry-recognized
				certification. This includes the courses at Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3
				within an approved single program of study. A CTE completer is a student who
				has completed three (3) courses within a career cluster.
Career Clusters
The National Career Clusters ® - Framework serves as an
				organizing tool for the Division of Career and Technical Education (DCTE)
				programs, curriculum design and instruction. The framework also functions as a
				guide in developing programs of study bridging secondary and postsecondary
				systems, and for creating individual student plans of study.
Career focus programs of study make up the career and technical
				delivery system as outlined in the National Career Clusters
®
Framework:
* Agriculture, Food & Natural
						  Resources
* Hospitality & Tourism
* Human Services
* Architecture & Construction
* Information Technology
* Arts, A/V Technology &
						  Communications
* Law, Public Safety & Security
* Manufacturing
* Business, Management &
						  Administration
* Marketing, Sales & Service
* Education & Training
* Science, Technology, Engineering &
						  Mathematics
* Finance
* Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
* Government & Public Administration
* Health Science
Each career focus program of study shall consist of
				middle-level courses in grades 7 or 8 as defined by DCTE. Two (2) courses are
				required in grades 9-12 to be considered a Concentrator following the approved
				single program of study sequencing. Three (3) courses are required in grades
				9-12 to be considered a Completer within an approved single program of
				study.
Career Field
A career field means the organizing structure for the 16 career
				clusters and 38 pathways under The National Career
				Clusters® Framework. The fields represent the
				broadest aggregation of careers. Students are generally exposed to career field
				exploration in middle school and early high school.
Career Pathway
A career pathway means the structure 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.
Career Planning
Upon completion of the eighth grade, each student shall have on
				file a Student Success Plan, either hardcopy or electronic format, which
				includes secondary courses to be taken. At least two years of postsecondary
				education planning is recommended. The Student Success 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.
Course
A course means the equivalent to one full unit of credit in the
				specific program of study.
Foundation Courses
Foundation courses are those classes that encompass the skills
				and knowledge necessary to be successful in any selected DCTE career and
				technical education program or program of study. These courses are
				pre-requisite in nature and are required for all career and technical program
				approvals as defined by DCTE. Please see the DCTE website for a current list of
				CTE Foundation Courses, listed as Level 1 courses within each program of
				study.
CTE Teacher Contract Length
Local school districts governing authority shall have the
				option of extending the length of CTE 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 Agricultural Education teachers.
Curriculum Content Standards
Each teacher shall follow Arkansas curriculum/content standards
				for each course approved by DCTE. See the DCTE website occupational areas for
				current standards. All standards will be reviewed every two years.
Digital Learning Providers
DCTE courses may be delivered by approved digital providers.
				See the ADE website for a list of providers, description of the process, and
				guidance on selected digital learning providers
				http://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/divisions/learning-services/digital-learning-providers.
Embedded Courses
In order for the standards of all courses to be met in a
				high-quality and comprehensive manner, embedded courses are not recommended.
				Under extenuating circumstances, districts may submit a detailed plan in the
				Arkansas Department of Education Course Approval System (CAS) (
https://adedata2.arkansas.gov/CAS/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2fcas
)
				and shall not be initiated unless approval is received in the CAS.
Teachers of embedded courses shall be licensed in both
				courses.
CTE PROGRAMS OF STUDY AND CTE MODIFIED
				PROGRAMS
For Grades 9-12, the following content areas shall be offered
				annually for a total of 38 units, except as otherwise allowed by law and these
				rules. The list of courses, approved by the State Board of Education for each
				content area, is posted annually on the Division website.
1-A.1.3.9 Career and Technical Education - 9 units of sequenced
				career and technical education courses representing three (3) occupational
				areas.
For implementation of SFA requirements for CTE, districts shall
				offer annually (3) approved program of study in (3) different occupational
				areas. The CTE requirements can be found on the Standards for Accreditation
				website at
https://adedata.arkansas.gov/sfa
under ADE Rules Governing the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public
				Schools and School Districts.
Each Occupational Area defines the required entry level
				(foundation) course for each Program of Study. Foundation courses shall be
				offered annually and Level 2 and Level 3 courses may be offered on a two year
				rotating basis.
Schools who do not offer required programs of study on campus
				may utilize public schools, secondary technical centers, or postsecondary
				institutions to meet requirements upon a written request from the high school
				for approval by DCTE.
The Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) may
				operate on the local high school campus or at the secondary technical center
				campus.
If occupational programs are offered off-site to fulfill
				Standards for Accreditation requirements, the school shall provide student
				transportation, sufficient time to complete a three-unit program of study, and
				sufficient effort to provide these opportunities to students.
Secondary schools utilizing off-campus options as a means to
				meet Standards for Accreditation shall have on file with the Director of DCTE a
				written agreement between both institutions as documentation to this effect
				before October 1 of each academic year.
Schools shall upload documentation of concurrent enrollment or
				other agreements annually in the DCTE electronic reporting system to meet
				documentation for Standards for Accreditation requirements.
Note:
Waivers from the Standards for Accreditation
				(SFA) require State Board of Education approval.
CTE Programs of Study (POS)
Arkansas follows federal Perkins V legislation to define a
'Program of Study'
; the complete definition is: "A coordinated,
				non-duplicative sequence of academic and technical content at the secondary and
				postsecondary level that:
a.
			 Incorporates challenging State academic standards, including those adopted by a
			 State under section 1111(b)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
			 1965;
b. Addresses both academic
			 and technical knowledge and skills, including employability skills;
c. Is aligned with the needs of industries in
			 the economy of the State, region, Tribal community, or local area;
d. Progresses in specificity (beginning with
			 all aspects of an industry or career cluster and leading to more
			 occupation-specific instruction;
e.
			 Has multiple entry and exit points that incorporate credentialing; and f.
			 Culminates in the attainment of a recognized postsecondary credential." (pg. 27
			 of the
Perkins V; the Official Guide
. ACTE Publication, 2018)
See the DCTE website Occupational Areas Tab for approved
				Programs of Study, including course codes and industry-recognized credentials.
				Refer to State Standards for Accreditation (SFA) for program of study
				requirements to meet SFA.
Schools that, due to local business and industry requirements
				or school improvement plans, need consideration for extenuating circumstances
				to meet the needs of the students, should submit a request through the Arkansas
				Department of Education Course Approval System (CAS) (
https://adedata2.arkansas.gov/CAS/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2fcas
)
				and shall not be initiated unless approval is received in the CAS.