The Development of Pennsylvania Progams of Study (POS)

The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 requires the development and implementation of career and technical programs of study (POS). Programs of Study incorporate secondary education and postsecondary education elements; include coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant career and technical content in a coordinated, non-duplicative progression of courses that align secondary education with postsecondary education to adequately prepare students to succeed in postsecondary education; may include the opportunity for secondary education students to participate in dual or concurrent enrollment programs or other ways to acquire postsecondary education credits and lead to an industry-recognized credential or certificate at the postsecondary level or an associate or baccalaureate degree.

Each local recipient receiving Perkins funds under the Act will be required to offer the relevant courses of at least one POS . POS are similar to PA initiatives such as Tech Prep, career pathways, career academies and career clusters.

The development of statewide POS is underway and will continue through the requirements of the 2006-2013 Perkins IV Act related to the Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) Codes that align to the PA Department of Labor and Industry's High Priority Occupations list. Currently, 22 POS have been developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Bureau of Career and Technical Education (BCTE) and are available for access below.

For each POS, a committee is established which includes statewide representation from business and industry, instructors and administrators from secondary and postsecondary education, and other interested parties. A blended competency list is developed from submissions of competency lists from career and technical education programs across the state. Then national competencies are included from sources such as VTECS, MAVCC and O* NET . This list is then presented to the POS committee for validation and alignment to an end-of-program assessment. BCTE personnel, including Program Specialists , and the PA State Tech Prep Coordinator assist all committees throughout the development of each phase of this project.

Implementation of the POS by those secondary institutions receiving Perkins funds is slated for 2009-2010. Postsecondary implementation will occur as early as 2010-2011 when these institutions will receive the first POS students from secondary career and technical programs having POS delivery.

Programs of Study Template (PDF)
The PA Department of Education's Bureau of Career and Technical Education and the PA Department of Labor and Industry worked cooperatively to design the Programs of Study Template.

PHASE I AND PHASE II Program of Study CIP Codes (PDF)
The Bureau of Career and Technical Education has developed the Phase I and II CIPs listed. These POS are accessible below. These CIPs were selected based on their alignment with the PA Department of Labor and Industry's High Priority Occupations.

PHASE III Program of Study CIP Codes (PDF)
Phase III CIPs will be developed into POS during 2009-2010. These programs were selected based on alignment of the PA Department of Labor and Industry's High Priority Occupations, the number of programs statewide, and alignment to emerging fields. Please stand by for requests from the BCTE for secondary competency lists and postsecondary core outcomes for these porgrams as the first steps in devising the foundational curriculum framework for these POS.

Programs of Study Approval Instructions (PDF)
This information has been recently updated for Programs of Study submission to the CATS system for POS approval.

Research shows that career success requires the same level of college-prep courses as postsecondary success requires. The Department of Education's focus is to ensure that every student graduates prepared for college and a career. In order to be successful in this program students should follow the academic sequence as determined by Pennsylvania's high school reform efforts.

• VTECS (A Consortium of Innovative Career and Workforce Development Resources)
• MAVCC (Multistate Academic Vocational Curriculum Consortium)
• NOCTI (National Occupational Competency Testing Institute
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• O*NET
• Pennsylvania Approved Certifications for Industry-Recognized Certifications for Career and Technical Education Programs
• Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry High Priority Occupations

As students participate in career exploration activities and rigorous studies from elementary grades through graduation, they learn to appreciate the relationship between their classroom learning and the skills needed within the workplace. The academic and workplace skills within the Academic Standards for Career Education and Work are expected to be addressed within classrooms and achieved by all students throughout Pennsylvania. No student should leave secondary education without a solid foundation in these Standards. Read More.

This electronic toolkit provides resources, references, crosswalks and other tools to assist elementary, middle and high schools teachers and administrators in implementing the Pennsylvania (PA) Career Education and Work Standards. Visit www.pacareerstandards.com for additional Information.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education's Bureau of Career and Technical Education has compiled this resource guide which lists industry-recognized certifications for career and technical programs in Pennsylvania's career clusters.

The complete list may be found here.

Enter secondary and postsecondary technical Program of Study courses.

Assists with:
Technical Units - Identify the technical course name(s) and/or major units associated with the State-developed Program of Study as applicable with hours. Units may include a group of tasks. Technical subject hours must comply with the minimum time requirements as identified in Chapter 339 Vocational Education Standards.

Academic Subjects - Career success and postsecondary education success require the same level of college prep coursework. The Pennsylvania Department of Education's (PDE) focus is to ensure that every student is prepared for college and a career. Academic courses such as applied math or general science cannot be listed on the program's scope and sequence. PDE's goal is to have all students perform at the competent or advanced level on the PSSA, and earn the Pennsylvania Skills Certificate on the end-of-program assessment.

Template is available in:

• Word format
• PDF format