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CTE Distance Learning Resources

Information and resources to assist educators providing Career Technical Education (CTE) support to students and families through distance learning.

Email join-cctd-updates@mlist.cde.ca.gov to receive updates from the Career and College Transition Division (CCTD) including the monthly career technical education (CTE) distance learning publication which includes information on upcoming events, webinars, and resources, including a lesson for each industry sector.

CTE Guidance for Reopening Schools

CTE Distance Learning Webinar Series

All webinars are available for viewing on the CDE YouTube Channel External link opens in new window or tab.

CTE Distance Learning Newsletter Archives

Curriculum, Media, and Online Courses for CTE

Find pre-existing lesson plans, courses and other curriculum materials to draw from as you build out the CTE distance learning plan that is right for your students.

  • CTE Online Distance Learning Collections External link opens in new window or tab. Curated lists of easily adaptable lesson plans, resources and projects for all 15 industry sectors.
  • Adobe Education Exchange External link opens in new window or tab. Industry inspired projects and lessons across sectors for preparing students for certification, or looking to augment curriculum.
  • Autodesk Design Academy External link opens in new window or tab. Industry inspired projects across sectors for starting a new design program, preparing students for certification, or looking to augment curriculum.
  • Canvas Commons External link opens in new window or tab. Free online courses, curriculum modules, lessons and documents related to CTE programs and work-based learning.
  • Common Sense Ed External link opens in new window or tab. : Tteacher reviewed open source learning materials on digital citizenship, media literacy, student digital profile guidance and teacher professional development.
  • Edge Factor: For Students External link opens in new window or tab. Inspirational videos, activities, and lesson plans for CTE programs, career profiles, soft skills, and STEAM in the workplace for no charge through the remainder of the school year.
  • Energize Schools Distance Learning Resources External link opens in new window or tab. Webinars and curriculum resources focused on green careers across sectors.
  • KQED Learn External link opens in new window or tab. CTE aligned media challenges and performance tasks for an authentic audience.
  • PBS Learning Media External link opens in new window or tab. Interactive lessons and activities through NOVA Labs External link opens in new window or tab. as well as other engaging content for multiple CTE sectors.
  • Smithsonian Learning Lab External link opens in new window or tab. Lesson plans, collections and interactive activities related to multiple sectors.
  • Teach Rock External link opens in new window or tab. CTE standards aligned cross-curricular, student facing distance learning lessons that engage learners with popular culture and social issues.
  • University of California Curriculum Integration External link opens in new window or tab. Full course outlines and built out units are freely available, aligned to CTE pathways with many digital resources.
  • Virtual Enterprises International External link opens in new window or tab. Resources to help deliver high-quality online learning experiences for students in grades 6-12 to provide them with foundational technology and career readiness skills.

Career Exploration Resources for Educators

Give students authentic opportunities to connect with industry and explore their future while learning from a distance.

Career Exploration and Virtual Work Based Learning Resources for Students

  • California CareerZone External link opens in new window or tab. CalCRN Web-based career exploration system providing four easy to use career assessment tools and information on over 900 California occupations.
  • California Career Center External link opens in new window or tab. CalCRN Online virtual counselor for career and college exploration and planning resources to help students map their futures.
  • CareerOneStop Get My Future External link opens in new window or tab. Information, tools, and links to resources to help anyone age 16 to 24 explore careers, learn about and locate training or education programs, and conduct a successful job search.
  • Edge Factor: For California Students External link opens in new window or tab. Inspirational videos, activities, and lesson plans for CTE programs, career profiles, soft skills, and STEAM in the workplace.
  • Exploring Career Options Packet External link opens in new window or tab. (PDF) A printable guide from CalCRN designed to help students discover their preferred place in the world of work by exploring four career-related questions.
  • Gladeo External link opens in new window or tab. Viirtual Work Based Learning and career exploration resources. Browse careers by personality or industry.
  • Roadtrip Nation External link opens in new window or tab. Multimedia resources for interest-based career exploration and industry connection.
  • San Bernardino Office of Education Pinterest Collection External link opens in new window or tab. Virtual Work Based Learning resources for students.

Adult Education Resources

Find distance learning support for the unique challenges and opportunities in adult education.

Professional Learning Resources

Build your capacity to support distance learning through the following courses, webinars and resources.

Career Technical Student Organization (CTSO) COVID-19 Resources

Students can still develop leadership from home with resources and guidance from the following CTSOs.

For information on graduation requirements refer to the FAQs on Graduation Requirements.

Questions:   Allison Frenzel | afrenzel@cde.ca.gov | 916-324-5364
Last Reviewed: Friday, April 5, 2024