Career and Technical Education programs get a boost

The Carson City School Board recognized Career and Technical Education Month with two academic adjustments to improve or impact coursework for students during its Jan. 24 meeting.

Board members took action and approved academic credit for coursework, specifically Animal Systems and Plant Systems programs of study changes, at the state level to help students meet graduation requirements. In the past, CTE students who successfully completed Agriculture Science I and II simultaneously received academic credit to fulfill science requirements. These courses will no longer be offered.

CTE courses can qualify for academic courses to graduate from high school if certain provisions outlined in the Nevada Administrative Code are followed. NAC 389.672 provides a school board can allow a student to earn two units of credit in English, one unit in math, one unit of credit in science and one-half unit of credit required in health for aligned CTE coursework. The curriculum is required to be reviewed by local school boards and reapproved by the Nevada State Board of Education every three years, according to NAC 389.673.

CHS Agriculture Science teacher Lauren Gates and K-12 Science and Sustainability Coordinator Cara Tirado ensured the Animal Systems and Plant Systems programs would fall in line with the provisions.

Applications take effect in the 2023-24 school year and impact students enrolling in Animal Systems and Plant Systems who have successfully completed Course 1 work in school year 2022-23, including Principles of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. They will receive science credit for Life Science/Botany upon board approval.

The school board also approved the adoption of CTE marketing instructional materials for high school students. Former textbooks that had been in use were more than 10 years old, and new materials were revised and approved by the State Board of Education on Dec. 9, 2021. Candi Ruf, CTE coordinator for CHS, said the school began the adoption process and formed a committee in October 2022 and reviewed five textbooks from publishers. The committee finalized its choice in December, with notice of public viewing and online digital access completed in January.

Tasha Fuson, district associate superintendent of educational services, said the district now must bring it to the NDE and State Board of Education before purchasing.

Career and Technical Education Month, celebrated in February by the NDE, is an opportunity to celebrate the noteworthy impacts CTE programs have on the state’s students and workforce. The NDE reports students who participate in CTE programs experience higher graduation rates than their peers, with a 92.3% graduation rate for CTE students in the class of 2022, compared to an 81.7% statewide average graduation rate.

As of the 2022-23 school year, 77,049 high school students and 2,809 middle school students are enrolled in CTE programs of study or middle school courses. High school enrollment for this school year represents a 2% increase from the 2021-22 school year.

Throughout CTE Month, designated weeks focus on specific trades, including:

• SkillsUSA Week, Feb. 6 to 10

• Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Week, Feb. 5 to 11

• Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Week, Feb. 13 to 17

• National FFA Week, Feb. 18 to 25