New CTE standards reflect fast-moving tech changes, higher academic goals
By Tom Chorneau
Thursday, December 13, 2012
After almost two years of work, state officials have completed proposed revisions of the Career Technical Education curriculum standards encompassing the addition of several new pathways including game design and integration.
The state’s existing career tech standards were adopted by the California State Board of Education in May, 2005. Among the many changes that have taken place since then is the national embrace of the common core standards in English language arts and math.
Officials said the new standards reflect not only changes that have occurred in business and industry but also the state’s new academic goals.
“The revised draft standards not only build on career–related skills and knowledge but also demand a higher level of academic achievement to help prepare students to be both career and college ready,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson in a memo to the state board released this week.
The draft standards are expected to come to the state board for approval at its January meeting.
The current standards are organized around 15 industry sectors and provide 58 career pathways to graduation. The
Last of the school construction money going out
The board that approves state construction funding for California schools on Wednesday issued the bulk of its remaining cash to 90 districts, effectively ending for now the pool of money set aside to match local contributions.