2421 - CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

The School Board supports an education program designed to provide students with learning experiences to develop knowledge and skills to enter the labor force or career and technical post-secondary programs.

For purposes of this policy, "career and technical education" shall be defined as a program designed to provide educational experiences, work experiences, and guidance for students to plan and prepare for a future:

1. in the labor market as employable individuals immediately after graduation with productive, saleable skills;

2. in education beyond high school with the opportunity to gain a marketable job skill(s) that will assist them in achieving career goals;

3. in the world of work while continuing their education in order to help offset higher education expenses.

The Board shall provide a career and technical education program which may include the following subject areas:

1. Agricultural Education

2. Business, Marketing, and Information Technology Education

3. Engineering and Technology Education

4. Family and Consumer Science

5. Health Science Education

6. Trade and Industrial Education

7. Work-Based Learning

8. Career and Technical Education Pilot Programs (non-standard course waiver required)

Specific courses in each subject area are to conform with the prescribed courses outlined in the Indiana Department of Education State Approved Course Titles and Descriptions. All instructors shall meet the requirements established by State law for teaching a course for which graduation credit is awarded.

Students may receive dual credit for any course in the career and technical education program that has been approved for such credit and is in compliance with Indiana law and Policy 2271. - College and University Programs.

The Board directs that any efforts to recruit students to participate in a particular career and technical education program must include literature and comparable recruitment efforts for students with disabilities in a format and context in which they can communicate.

The career and technical education program may include a work-study program involving the employment of qualified students.

The work-study programs are available to students without regard for race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. The Superintendent is to ensure that application forms for work-study programs contain a notice of nondiscrimination and that each employer associated with a work-study program has provided an assurance of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, and disability prior to the time the students are selected and/or assigned.

Any course that meets the requirements of a career and technical education program under I.C. 20-43-8-7.5 may be taught virtually by a virtual provider if:

1. the program of study leads to an industry recognized credential;
    
2. the course was approved by the State board under I.C. 20-43-8-7.5; and
    
3. all instruction required to be in person by the agency that receives, distributes, and accounts for all funds received for career and technical education under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act ( 20U.S.C. 2301 et seq.) as described in I.C. 20-19-2-19 are conducted through:
    
   1. an employer provided work based learning program; or
       
   2. a career and technical education center.

 Students entering high school beginning with the 2025-2026 school year shall have the opportunity to earn a diploma with an Employment Honors Seal when they choose to pursue those options.

To be eligible for an Employment Honors Seal, a student must:

1. complete one (1) of the following:
    
   1. earn an industry recognized or a postsecondary credential. Only credentials designated as approved Employment Honors Seal credentials by the department may be used to satisfy this requirement;
       
   2. complete three (3) career and technical education courses in a program of study;
       
   3. complete a career scholarship account program approved under I.C. 20-51.4-4.5-6; or
       
   4. complete a locally created graduation pathway approved by the State Board.
       
2. complete at least 150 hours of work based learning;
    
3. demonstrate communication and collaboration or work-ethic skills that have been verified by an individual or entity recognized by either the student's high school or the State board using the verification forms established by the department. The department shall establish model verification forms and other documentation requirements pertaining to the verification requirements specified in this subdivision; and
    
4. complete one (1) of the following:
    
   1. at least one (1) school year with no more than three (3) days of unexcused absences; or
       
   2. at least 150 hours of work based learning experience with no more than three (3) unexcused absences.

If a student completes the requirements for one or more of these Indiana Diploma seals, the seal shall be specified in the student's high school transcript.

Revised 8/11/15
Revised 8/9/16

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