24 P.S. §25-2502.8
Secondary Career and Technical Education Program A
DATE OF ISSUE: July 1, 2001
DATE OF EXPIRATION: June 30, 2005
REPLACES: Secondary Vocational-Technical Education Program Approval
BEC 24 P.S. §25-2502.8, issued September 1, 1997
PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
BUREAU OF CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
SYSTEM TO APPROVE CAREER AND TECHNICAL PROGRAMS
The procedures as outlined below are on-line and referred to as the Career and Technical Education Information System (CATS) effective beginning with the 2001-2002 school year.
STEP 1 – STRATEGIC PLANNING: LIST OF CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
List the proposed career and technical education programs contained in the local strategic plan as required in 22 Pa. Code §4.13.
STEP 2 – CAREER AND TECHNICAL PROGRAMS: APPROVAL
Items that must be submitted include the following:
- An Action Plan describing the planned delivery of the career and technical education programs described in the strategic action plan
- The Pennsylvania Secondary Career and Technical Education Program Approval Form (PDE-320), with signed assurances that the State Board of Education regulations will be met
- A plan for program evaluation
- A list of occupations related to programs schools plan to offer, which are identified by the Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) codes
- Standards for each CIP code based on an occupational analysis
- The source of the occupational analysis used to determine the Standards
- A series of planned academic and technical course for each CIP code
- Secondary and post-secondary scope and sequence for tech prep plans of delivery
- National program certifications, where applicable
STEP 3 - DATA: REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
All schools are required to adhere to the following reporting requirements:
- PDE course reporting (all students)
- Career and Technical Education Management Information System (CATS), as required
- State Performance Measures and Standards, to include each of the following:
(1) Technical competency skills (NOCTI or industry-based certification)
(2) Basic academic skills per the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA)
(3) Advanced academic courses in math, science and reading, writing, listening and speaking
(4) Program completion rate
(5) Program placement rate
- Child Accounting for state reimbursement
- Local Education Agency (LEA) evaluation and follow-up
- Student work credentials, where available
STEP 4 - PERFORMANCE REVIEW: STATE AND LOCAL ANALYSIS
The Bureau of Career and Technical Education will determine the need for periodic technical assistance visits. During these visits staff will review:
- Data to support program approval assurances, program sequences, evaluation processes (including data from the State Performance Measures and Standards, where applicable), and processes for issuing work credentials where employed
- Planned instruction PA Code 4.11 (h)
- Occupational advisory committee minutes
- Teaching certificates
- Provisions for support of special populations
- Implementing strategies for the integration of academic and vocational education
- Applicable articulation agreements
- Student educational and occupational objectives
Schools with programs not conforming to the above elements will be notified in writing and required to submit an improvement plan. After the Bureau of Career and Technical Education (BCTE) approves the improvement plan, the school must document that it is taking corrective action. The BCTE will periodically monitor implementation of the improvement plan to determine if there is a need to provide (1) continued approval, or to (2) withdraw approval. A school may reapply for program approval following a one-year withdrawal.
REFERENCES:
Purdon's Statutes
24 P.S. Section 18-1810 - 18-1811
24 P.S. Section 18-1803.1
24 P.S. Section 25-2502.8
State Board of Education Regulations
22 Pa. Code Section 4.13
22 Pa. Code Section 4.31, 4.32, 4.33, 4.34 &
4.35
Federal Statute
Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied
Technology Education Act of 1998
CONTACT BUREAU/OFFICE:
Systems Delivery Division
Bureau of Career and Technical Education
Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
Phone: (717) 787-8804
TTY: (717) 783-8445
