Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

CTE Model Curriculum Standards

Web page for those interested in following the revision of Career Technical Education Model Curriculum (CTE) standards.

CTE Standards

Career Technical Education Standards for California Public Schools

Education Code Section 51226 provides legal authority to develop the CTE standards and framework. This legislation requires the development and adoption of CTE standards that incorporate the integration of career technical and academic education no later than June 1, 2005. The original CTE Model Curriculum Standards were adopted by the State Board of Education (SBE) on May 11, 2005. The standards, written for grades seven through twelve, specify learning goals in 58 career pathways organized around 15 industry sectors.

The California State Plan for Career Technical Education, A BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE 2008–2012, approved by the State Board of Education in May 2008, provides guidance for California’s CTE programs in California. The State Plan states, “CTE programs are dynamic; curricula need to stay current with rapid changes in the workplace, requiring ongoing updates and learning on the part of CTE faculty.” The adoption of the English Language Arts and Mathematics Common Core State Standards furthered the need to revise and align the CTE Standards with this new academic core.

Commencing in May 2011, 117 individuals representing secondary and post-secondary education and business and industry met to review the 2005 standards and make recommendations for improvement. Following the May 2011 meeting, industry sector meetings were held to develop the revised CTE standards based on the recommendations. Subsequently, the revised CTE Standards were share with the general public for public review, comment, and suggestions. Once the CTE Standards were revised, academic and CTE teachers collaborated on the alignment with the Common Core State Standards, Next Generation Science Core Ideas, and the History/Social Science Standards.  The newly revised CTE Model Curriculum Standards designed to prepare students to be both Career and College ready were adopted by the SBE on January 16, 2013.

By Industry Sector

Resources

Top of page


Timeline

Activity Schedule
Industry sector stakeholder meetings May 2011
Standards Alignment Project August 2011
Industry sector writing team November 2011
CTE Pathway-Academic Standards Alignment February 2012
Revisions and academic alignment by Project Team March – June 2012

Project Team reviews and edits all 15 industry Sector standards

July 2012
Public Input           September 2012
Instructional Quality Commission briefing  September 2012
SSPI issues recommended CTE Standards December 2012

State Board of Education (SBE) action on Recommended standards

January 2013

Professional Development begins

February 2013

Project Team

Last Name First Name Location

Campbell

Bev

California Department of Education

Weikle

Russ

California Department of Education
Zachry Carolyn California Department of Education

Caceres

Lindsay

Solano County Office of Education/CTE
Harden Janet Solano County Office of Education/CTE
Long Christine Solano County Office of Education/CTE

Miller

Gillie

Solano County Office of Education/CTE

Industry Sector Stakeholder Team

In order to accomplish this important work, the California Department of Education (CDE) has requested the assistance of the Solano County Office of Education (SCOE). SCOE is working in concert with CDE to organize stakeholder meetings, review, analyze and edit work completed by the stakeholder groups. SCOE is responsible to the CDE for the organization of the CTE standards product. SCOE and CDE convened industry sector stakeholder meetings to being the review and revisions to the CTE standards.

SCOE and CDE Team

Top of page

Questions:   Career Technical Education Leadership Office | CTEStandards@cde.ca.gov | 916-322-5050
Last Reviewed: Thursday, November 30, 2023
Recently Posted in Career Technical Education
  • CWPJAC Agenda April 26, 2024 (added 16-Apr-2024)
    The California Workforce Pathways Joint Advisory Committee (CWPJAC) plans to address workforce pathways to address California’s regional economies.