New School Information

New School Information

History

While education is sometimes accused of not adapting to change, in reality considerable effort and resources are being applied to revising and updating programs and creating new programs to meet the skill requirements of the workplace. Following the Great Depression and World War II, junior high students were required to enroll in courses that emphasized self-sufficiency skills. Boys were required to participate in "industrial arts" and girls in "home economics" courses. With the passage of Title IX and the reduced stereotyping of adult roles, students were required to earn one unit of credit in either home economics or industrial arts.

Dramatic changes occurred in the workplace during the last half of the twentieth century. In 1950, 60 percent of jobs required a high school diploma or less, 20 percent required two years of post-secondary technical training, and 20 percent required a four-year college degree. By the year 2000, less than 15 percent of the job market required a high school diploma or less, 65 percent required two years of post-secondary technical training, and the percentage of jobs requiring a four-year degree remained at 20 percent.

The advancement of technology created drastic changes in the job market. The influence of technology can be found in virtually every aspect of our lives. Many of the jobs in existence now did not exist ten or even five years ago. United States companies now operate in an international economy that creates greater competition at home and abroad. The skills needed to get and keep a job are continually changing, and all workers will face a need to be lifelong learners.

In the late 1980s, the career exploration emphasis of the junior high CTE core requirement led to the development of a single course, which was broadened to include exploration activities from 30+ Career Pathways. College and Career Awareness was adopted by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) as a required Core course for all students, and taught in the seventh or eighth grade. 

College and Career Awareness is typically taught by a team of teachers and professional school counselors. Through project-based learning, simulations, and work-based learning activities, students are exposed to Career Pathways in the following Career Clusters:

  • Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
  • Architecture and Construction
  • Arts, Audio/Visual Technology and Communications
  • Business, Finance and Marketing
  • Computer Science and Information Technology
  • Education and Training
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Health Science
  • Hospitality and Tourism
  • Human Services
  • Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security
  • Manufacturing
  • Transportation, Distribution and Logistics

The middle school years are a time of exploration and discovery. Students need experiences that will broaden their horizons. Many career opportunities are not visible to students in the communities in which they live. Relationships between interests, skills, education, and career possibilities are obscured by students’ limited experience base and the lack of effort either at home or in school, or both, to illustrate or establish linkages. The CTE Introduction course afforded students a rich opportunity to explore and expand on self-understanding, to expand understanding of career possibilities related to interest, and to develop knowledge and skills for making more prepared career choices.

Program Accountability

New schools will run the full program for a year before receiving funding as funding is allocated based on the previous year seventh/eighth grade enrollment in the program. The Funding Application and End of Year Summary should be completed during this first year of the program to document compliance with the program requirements.

Proposed Budget and Funding Application

In order to receive state CTE funding, the local education agency (LEA) CTE director must annually submit a Proposed Budget and Funding Application through the Utah Grants Management System Funding Application for the coming year. The application identifies that the school and district are committed to meeting all assurances of the College and Career Awareness program. The Funding Application and Proposed Budget is due to the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) through Utah Grants Management System by April 1 of the year. Please locate the application in Utah Grants.

End of Year Summary

An annual College and Career Awareness (CCA) End of Year Summary is no longer a required upload for College and Career Awareness state funding requirements. Local Education Agencies (LEAs) may require a school receiving College and Career Awareness funds to submit an End of Year Summary Template to verify all assurances are met to receive state funds. The End of Year Summary Template is not submitted to the Utah State Board of Education. LEAs may choose to require their own schools receiving College and Career Awareness funds to co

Program Application

New schools will run the full program for a year before receiving funding as funding is allocated based on the previous year seventh grade enrollment in the program. The year prior to application for funding, the full program must be offered in the seventh and/or eighth meeting program requirements.

Early in the school year prior to application for funding, an onsite visit (when possible) with teachers, counselors, and administration in the school is required. This is an opportunity to clarify questions and make sure that everyone understands the requirements of the program and teacher qualification requirements.

An application for the College and Career Awareness program is also required. This application notifies the state Career and Technical Education department of the intent of the school to apply for funding April 1.

New School Application

Program Expectations

College and Career Awareness offers exploration and preparation in College and Career Pathways focusing on jobs that are high skill, high demand, and/or emerging jobs, as well as satisfying and financially rewarding. The College and Career Awareness course is designed to help students identify their interests, abilities, and skills. With appropriate developmental information related to careers, educational Pathways, and self-knowledge, students are able to begin to make college and career goals for the future. College and Career Awareness is designed to acquaint students with the Utah labor market and the employment opportunities for which they can prepare by defining a College and Career Ready Plan.

  1. Teach the College and Career Awareness program, which aligns to the strands and standards approved by the Board.

  2. Provide Work-Based Learning experiences during the course for each student. Appropriate Work-Based Learning experiences are guest speakers, career fairs, field studies, or job shadows.

  3. The College and Career Awareness team consists of:

    • Administrators
    • Counselors
    • Teachers, licensed and properly endorsed
    • Work-Based Learning Coordinators

  4. Deliver College and Career Awareness curriculum aligned to the current Career and Technical Education Career Clusters:
    • Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
    • Architecture and Construction
    • Arts, Audio/Visual Technology and Communications
    • Business, Finance and Marketing
    • Computer Science and Information Technology
    • Education and Training
    • Engineering and Technology
    • Health Science
    • Hospitality and Tourism
    • Human Services
    • Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security
    • Manufacturing
    • Transportation, Distribution and Logistics
  5. Complete program accountability each year.

    • Funding Application and Proposed Budget

  6. Participate in the program approval process on a rotating basis.

    The Utah State Board of Education, in conjunction with school district CTE directors, has developed program standards and program evaluation criteria for CTE programs in secondary schools. These standards are available for a number of uses aimed at developing or improving secondary CTE programs. CTE educators and program staff should use these standards for self-evaluation, goal setting, continuous improvement, and long-range planning. Standards will also be useful to state program specialists in monitoring, evaluating, and providing technical assistance.

  7. Participate in College and Career Awareness professional development activities offered by the Utah State Board of Education every other summer or as provided.

  8. Ensure curriculum is delivered by appropriately licensed and endorsed teachers.

    Note:     Because College and Career Awareness is a core curriculum requirement, a teacher must have an Elementary Education, Middle School or Secondary Education License with the appropriate endorsement. A CTE License will not meet this requirement.

  9. Update equipment and supplies as needed. Abide by purchasing guidelines, which include not furniture expenditures or payment of wages (substitute or teacher).

  10. Subscribe to the listserv for current information and updates.

Program Funding

This information is intended for use by eligible Local Education Agencies (LEAs) within the state of Utah. Applications are required and due April 1 of each year.

Fiscal Year 2024 Funding Application and Proposed Budget

College and Career Awareness applications must be submitted on the approved form and must conform to submission deadlines.

In order for an LEA to participate, it must identify schools and College and Career Awareness team members that:

  • incorporate the entire approved College and Career Awareness Core Curriculum program;
  • are willing to participate in professional development for the program; and
  • will assure compliance with all standards related to the program.

All allocations will be based upon schools meeting and continued compliance with the program standards.

Funding allocations are based on the annual state allocations and the following student enrollment counts for the previous year seventh grade students:

  • 1-10 students $2,000 base plus percentage allocation
  • 11 plus students $4,000 base plus percentage allocation

As a new school does not have students from the previous year to generate funding, the first year of the program is not funded, but generates funding for the following years.

Each school is responsible to submit the Funding Application and Proposed Budget for funding by each year through Utah Grants Management System. Funding is not ongoing without the funding application submission annually.

Program Accountability

New schools will run the full program for a year before receiving funding as funding is allocated based on the previous year seventh/eighth grade enrollment in the program. The Funding Application and End of Year Summary should be completed during this first year of the program to document compliance with the program requirements.

Proposed Budget and Funding Application

In order to receive state CTE funding, the local education agency (LEA) CTE director must annually submit a Proposed Budget and Funding Application through the Utah Grants Management System Funding Application for the coming year. The application identifies that the school and district are committed to meeting all assurances of the College and Career Awareness program. The Funding Application and Proposed Budget is due to the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) through Utah Grants Management System by April 1 of the year.

Fiscal Year 2024 Funding Application and Proposed Budget

End of Year Summary

An annual College and Career Awareness (CCA) End of Year Summary is no longer a required upload for College and Career Awareness state funding requirements. Local Education Agencies (LEAs) may require a school receiving College and Career Awareness funds to submit an End of Year Summary Template to verify all assurances are met to receive state funds. The End of Year Summary Template is not submitted to the Utah State Board of Education. LEAs may choose to require their own schools receiving College and Career Awareness funds to complete an End of Year Summary and submit to the local CTE director to verify all assurances are met to qualify for state funds.

Program Application

New schools will run the full program for a year before receiving funding as funding is allocated based on the previous year seventh grade enrollment in the program. The year prior to application for funding, the full program must be offered in the seventh and/or eighth meeting program requirements.

Early in the school year prior to application for funding, an onsite visit (when possible) with teachers, counselors, and administration in the school is required. This is an opportunity to clarify questions and make sure that everyone understands the requirements of the program and teacher qualification requirements.

An application for the College and Career Awareness program is also required. This application notifies the state Career and Technical Education department of the intent of the school to apply for funding April 1.

Program Expectations

College and Career Awareness offers exploration and preparation in College and Career Pathways focusing on jobs that are high skill, high demand, and/or emerging jobs, as well as satisfying and financially rewarding. The College and Career Awareness course is designed to help students identify their interests, abilities, and skills. With appropriate developmental information related to careers, educational Pathways, and self-knowledge, students are able to begin to make college and career goals for the future. College and Career Awareness is designed to acquaint students with the Utah labor market and the employment opportunities for which they can prepare by defining a College and Career Ready Plan.

  1. Teach the full year (approximately 180 day) College and Career Awareness program curriculum, which aligns to the standards and objectives approved by the Board.

  2. Provide Work-Based Learning experiences during the course for each student. Appropriate Work-Based Learning experiences are guest speakers, career fairs, field studies, or job shadows.

  3. The College and Career Awareness team consists of:

    • Administrators
    • Counselors
    • Teachers, licensed and properly endorsed
    • Work-Based Learning Coordinators

  4. Deliver College and Career Awareness curriculum:
    • Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
    • Architecture and Construction
    • Arts, Audio/Visual Technology and Communications
    • Business, Finance and Marketing
    • Computer Science and Information Technology
    • Education and Training
    • Engineering and Technology
    • Health Science
    • Hospitality and Tourism
    • Human Services
    • Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security
    • Manufacturing
    • Transportation, Distribution and Logistics
    •  
  5. Complete program accountability each year.

    • Funding Application and Proposed Budget

  6. Participate in the program approval process on a rotating basis.

    The Utah State Board of Education, in conjunction with school district CTE directors, has developed program standards and program evaluation criteria for CTE programs in secondary schools. These standards are available for a number of uses aimed at developing or improving secondary CTE programs. CTE educators and program staff should use these standards for self-evaluation, goal setting, continuous improvement, and long-range planning. Standards will also be useful to state program specialists in monitoring, evaluating, and providing technical assistance.

  7. Participate in College and Career Awareness professional development activities offered by the Utah State Board of Education every other summer or as provided.

  8. Ensure curriculum is delivered by appropriately licensed and endorsed teachers,preferable from at least two CTE content areas.

    Note:     Because College and Career Awareness is a core curriculum requirement, a teacher must have an Elementary Education, Middle School or Secondary Education License with the appropriate endorsement. A CTE License will not meet this requirement.

  9. Update equipment and supplies as needed. Abide by purchasing guidelines, which include not furniture expenditures or payment of wages (substitute or teacher).

  10. Subscribe to the listserv for current information and updates.

Program Funding

This information is intended for use by eligible school districts and charter schools within the state of Utah. Applications are required and due June 1 of each year.

College and Career Awareness applications must be submitted on the approved form and must conform to submission deadlines.

In order for a district to participate, it must identify schools and College and Career Awareness team members that:

  • incorporate the entire approved College and Career Awareness Core Curriculum program;
  • are willing to participate in professional development for the program; and
  • will assure compliance with all standards related to the program.

All allocations will be based upon schools meeting and continued compliance with the program standards.

Funding allocations are based on the annual state allocations and the following student enrollment counts for the previous year seventh grade students:

  • 1-10 students $2,000 base plus percentage allocation
  • 11 plus students $4,000 base plus percentage allocation

As a new school does not have students from the previous year to generate funding, the first year of the program is not funded, but generates funding for the following years.

Each school is responsible to submit the Funding Application and Proposed Budget for funding by June 1 each year. Funding is not ongoing without the funding application submission annually.