Career Technical Education
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Career and Technical Education (CTE) prepares individuals for high-skill, high-wage, in-demand employment that furthers Illinois’ global competitiveness. CTE programs provide learners with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to thrive in college and careers. All students benefit from career connected learning that emphasizes real-world skills within a selected career focus. Students gain practical knowledge while discovering and preparing for success in potential careers. (https://www.isbe.net/Documents/WhatisCTE.pdf)
High school students will explore one or two career clusters for further exploration and development. Students will understand educational requirements, entry-level and midpoint position expectations, salary bands as well as career attributes. Early college credit and work-based internships are embedded into Pathway course sequences. Students who complete the required sequence of courses will be eligible for internship opportunities. Prior to graduation, students will receive financial aid literacy and in-depth postsecondary selection support.
A District 300 student may participate in any registered apprenticeship program listed by the district and a student may find a registered, but not listed, apprenticeship program with a business or organization if a registered apprenticeship program is not offered in the district. For more information, please contact the Associate Principal for Curriculum and Instruction at your high school.
Programs of Study
The CTE program of study includes a sequence of courses and/or competencies across secondary and postsecondary education that incorporates technical, academic, and employability knowledge and skills.
(https://www.acteonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/ACTE-HighQualityCTEFramework-Draft4.0-Beta.pdf)
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Director of CTE, Pathways, and
College and Career Programs
Joseph Sieczkowski
Joseph.Sieczkowski@d300.org
Pathway Programs
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Pathway Programs are a combination of rigorous and high-quality education, training, and other services that aligns both vertically and horizontally across Secondary Education, Adult Education, Workforce Training and Development, Career and Technical Education, and Postsecondary Education systems, pathways, and programs. Collaborative partnerships with these entities and business and industry, along with human service agencies, corrections, and other community stakeholders, serve as the foundational structure for high-quality and sustainable career pathways. A career pathway also includes multiple entry and exit points to facilitate individuals to build their skills as they progress along a continuum of education and training and advance in sector-specific employment. (https://www.isbe.net/Documents/IL-Career-Pathways-Dictionary.PDF)
In alignment to District 300’s central mission, To provide engaging and inclusive educational experiences that empower and equip all students to discover, innovate, and succeed now and in the future, students who graduate from our schools will be prepared to effectively make postsecondary and career decisions. Our Pathways offer aligned elective coursework, industry exposure, and work-based internships to help students prepare for their postsecondary goals.
Middle School
Middle school students will understand the concepts of career clusters, and further explore possible careers. Students will explore the relationships between community service, extracurricular activities, postsecondary goals, and career goals.
High School
High school pathways will provide students with real world knowledge, experience, and skills to thrive in college classrooms and to compete for 21st century careers. Pathways include a sequence of recommended courses in select career fields, and many include opportunities for internships with our local businesses and/or the opportunity to earn an industry certification as a high school graduate.
To learn more about the individual Pathways and which school offers them, please click here.
