Career and Technical Education (CTE) - PA Secondary Transition

What is Career and Technical Education (CTE)?

Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Pennsylvania enables students to develop critical skills through a combination of in-school classes and hands-on, community-based learning experiences.

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Community
Based

Learning
Experiences

Career and
Technical
Education (CTE)
in Pennsylvania

Help Students

To Develop Critical
Skills

What are the Core Components of Career and Technical Education (CTE)?

Integrated Learning Experiences

A sequence of in-school and community-based hands-on learning experiences designed by the IEP team in collaboration with CTE staff to ensure students develop career-specific knowledge and skills in addition to soft skills and employability skills.

Credentialing Pathway Development

This sequence includes preparation and completion of vertical and/or horizontal credentialing pathways (full or micro) related to a specific career.

Equitable Student Participation

Active and equitable participation of students with disabilities in the sequence is supported through career counseling as well as relevant accommodations and supports.

How Does Career and Technical Education (CTE) Impact Outcomes Related to IEP Transition Goals?

CTE concentrators with disabilities are more likely to be employed in the year after graduation than non-CTE peers.
CTE programs align with in-demand career pathways, giving students skills that employers value-boosting employability.

Citations

Neuman, L., Wagner, M., Knokey, A.-M., Marder, C., Nagle, K., Shaver, D., & Wei, X. (2011).
National Technical Assistance Center on Transition (NTACT). (2016)

CTE participation is linked to higher rates of enrollment in postsecondary education, especially when students complete a CTE concentration.
Many CTE programs offer dual enrollment or articulated credit options, enabling students with disabilities to begin earning college credit during high school.

Citations

Dougherty, S. M. (2018).
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education. (2019)

Participation in CTE promotes real-world problem solving, collaboration, and decision-making-skills linked to independent living outcomes.
Some CTE pathways (e.g., Family and Consumer Sciences, Business Education) include curricula on budgeting, banking, and managing daily responsibilities.

Citations

Test, D. W., Fowler, C. H., & Kohler, P. D. (2013)
Mazzotti, V. L., Rowe, D. A., et al. (2021)

Training Today for the Jobs We Need Tomorrow

Career and Technical Education (CTE) combines classroom instruction with real-world learning to help students build essential career and life skills. Through hands-on experiences and credential pathways, students, especially those with disabilities, gain employability, independence, and access to postsecondary opportunities.

Who are the Key Partners in Career and Technical Education (CTE)?

Central decision-maker whose interests, preferences, and goals should guide the planning.
Shares input on CTE areas of interest and desired career path.

Provide insight into long-term goals, transportation logistics, and supports needed for CTE success.
Support advocacy and ensure family values and expectations are incorporated.

Coordinates IEP development and ensures that goals and supports align with the student's participation in CTE.
Facilitates accommodations, modifications, and progress monitoring.

Shares course content expectations, industry certification opportunities, and workplace-readiness skills taught.
Advises on student performance and needed supports in the CTE environment.

Offers input on career assessments, graduation pathways, dual enrollment options, and high school course planning.
May coordinate with outside agencies or training programs.

Identifies opportunities for internships, co-ops, or job-shadowing related to CTE.
Helps embed career experiences aligned with the IEP transition goals.

Ensures that decisions made at the IEP meeting are consistent with available school programs and resources.
Authorizes services and supports related to CTE.

Helps with placement decisions and ensures access to appropriate supports within CTE programs.
Ensures alignment with state or district CTE policies and practices.

Supports pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS), planning for job training, and potential funding for tools or training programs.
Ensures continuity of services post-graduation.