Family, Career and Technical Education
Career Options
CAREER OPTIONS LAW (Act 1124)
The Career Options Law (Act 1124) mandates that all high school students have a five-year educational plan and that all high schools offer career majors. It is the intent of the law that students have a focus while in school to help make learning more relevant and meaningful.
Act 1124 (1997)
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2004-2005 PROGRAM AREAS/CAREER MAJORS
Career and Technical Education programs provide opportunities for career and technical education students to receive instruction in one or more career majors/areas of concentration. Two of the courses in each major/concentration must be at the competency level. A competency course emphasizes the core knowledge needed for a student to demonstrate qualifications in his major/concentration. In addition, the related elective courses enhance competencies needed in the chosen career major/area of concentration.
Local school systems can use the career majors framework provided as a guide to select the courses that will be offered for each major/concentration. Not all career majors or all courses listed with the major in this framework must be offered locally. Employment opportunities and postsecondary education availability in the local area should be considered as curriculum is developed.
A Career Major is defined as a coherent sequence of courses or field of study that prepares a student for a first job and/or further education/training and
· Integrates academic and occupational learning, integrates school-based and work-based learning, and establishes linkages between high schools and postsecondary institutions.
· Prepares the student for employment in a broad occupational cluster or industry sector.
· Typically includes at least 4 years of high school and 1 or 2 years of postsecondary education.
· Provides the students, to the extent practicable, with strong experience in and understanding of all aspects of the industry.
· Results in the award of a high school diploma or its equivalent, a certificate or diploma recognizing successful completion of 1 or 2 years of postsecondary education and/or a skill certificate.
· May lead to further education and training such as entry into a registered apprenticeship program or admission to a 2- or 4-year college or university.
Agricultural Education
Business and Marketing Education
Family and Consumer Sciences
Technology Education
Trade and Industrial Education
Health Occupations
Industry-Based Certifications
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NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS
Nationally, non-traditional employment and training is defined as when the gender of the individuals employed is comprised of less than 25% in an occupation or field of work. Based upon this information, career and technical educators need to move from our standard approach ("girls in Ag and boys in Nursing”) to a more diverse recognition of non-traditional occupations. Local, regional and national labor market information is available and serves as a valuable resource to help identify non-traditional occupations. This information is very useful in encouraging students to explore traditional and emerging non-traditional occupations.
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