Mission & Purpose

The mission of Career and Technical Education (CTE) is to empower all students to be successful citizens, workers and leaders in a global economy. CTE gives purpose to learning by emphasizing real-world skills and practical knowledge. Programs in Career and Technical Education are designed to contribute to the broad educational achievement of students, including basic skills such as reading, writing, and mathematics, as well as their ability to work independently and as part of a team, think creatively, solve problems, and utilize technology. These tools and experiences make school more relevant, and ensure students are ready for the real world. Whether students plan to further their education in community colleges, technical schools, four-year colleges and universities, receive on-the-job training, or pursue careers in the military, CTE can be the first step in a pathway toward productive employment and citizenship.

CTE Program Design

Career and Technical Education (CTE) leverages program areas to facilitate career pathways for students. Programs are designed to facilitate exploration that leads to more occupation specific and technical career training. CTE programs integrate rigorous academic, technical, and employability skills within the context of career preparation. CTE works to align programs and expose students to labor market needs and new or emerging occupations. CTE works to achieve our mission by building and supporting programs that include:

• Standards-aligned, competency-based curriculum and instruction
• Industry-recognized credentials 
• Articulated college credit
• Real-world equipment and facilities 
• Career development coordination and services
• Special populations coordination and services
• Work-based learning 
• Career and Technical Student Organizations

Middle School

Middle grades students have reached a critical age when they can explore careers and begin to make decisions and develop future plans. CTE curriculum and experiences for middle grades students are designed to be exploratory in nature, exposing students to careers and job functions. Students will develop a knowledge of self and the world of work and establish a Career Development Plan that brings the two together.

High School

As students develop more self-awareness, autonomy, maturity, and intellect, career plans and experiences become more specific, complex, and technical. Career and Technical Education provides hands-on applied learning experiences that build academic knowledge, problem solving skills, employability skills and specific career skills. Students have opportunities to participate in increasingly challenging experiences through project-based learning, work-based learning, and Career and Technical Student Organizations. 

Programs Areas

Career and Technical Education in Johnston County Public Schools is facilitated through eight program areas. The program areas function as fields of study with unique knowledge and skills, research and best practices, student leadership opportunities, and professional development needs.  

• Agriculture 
• Business and Marketing
• Career Development
• Computer Science and IT 
• Family and Consumer Sciences 
• Health Science
• Technology, Engineering and Design
• Trade and Industrial 

Learn more about CTE program areas.

Resources 

For more information and resources on CTE, click on the links below: 

• CTE Curriculum and Essential Standards
• Special Populations, Equity, and Civil Rights
• Credentials and Reporting

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