1. What Every Teacher and Administrator Needs to Know
Career Pathways
What Every Teacher and Administrator Needs to Know

2. Definition of a Career Pathway
A Career Pathway is a coherent, articulated sequence of rigorous academic and career/technical courses, commencing in the ninth grade and leading to an associate degree, baccalaureate degree and beyond, an industry recognized certificate, and/or licensure. The Career Pathway is developed, implemented, and maintained in partnership among secondary and postsecondary education, business, and employers. Career Pathways are available to all students, including adult learners, and lead to rewarding careers.
- National Career Pathways Network

3. Brain Research
Brain research continually points to the organization of information in “big clumps” such as career pathways, and then narrowing that information into smaller, manageable portions. It emphasizes experience and close connections to “real life” and real-life objects. These experiences, such as work-based experiences, prepare a space or pattern in the brain to which students can “hook” academic information, thus retaining what they have learned. (Based on research from Kathleen Harris)
- Elaine Howard and Pamela J., Career Pathways

4. Top Five Reasons Dropouts Identify as Major Factors For Leaving School
47% - Classes were not interesting
43% - Missed too many days and couldn’t catch up
42% - Spent time with people who were not interested in school
38% - Had too much freedom and not enough rules in my life
35% - Was failing in school
- The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts - A Report by Civic Enterprises

5. Career Pathways and Dropout Prevention
According to the same report, improving teaching and curricula to make school more relevant and engaging and enhancing the connection between school and work is one area where schools can help students from dropping out of school.
81 percent of the surveyed dropouts said there should be more opportunities for real-world learning.
Career Pathways provide that opportunity for real-world learning.

6. Pathways to Prosperity
A report released this year by the Harvard Graduate School of Education titled “Pathways to Prosperity” outlines new research which shows that a “college for all goal – one that does not include a much stronger focus on career-oriented programs that lead to occupational credentials – seems doomed to fail.”
The report details that many new jobs which require post-secondary licenses, certificates or credentials will earn more than the average bachelor’s degree recipient.
The report states that “if current trends persist, the percentage of young adults with a post-secondary degree may actually drop, reversing a long history in which children have generally been better educated than their parents.”

7. Definition of a Career Cluster
Career Clusters are groupings of occupations/career specialties used as an organizing tool for curriculum design and instruction. Occupations/career specialties are grouped into the Career Clusters based on the fact that they require a set of common knowledge and skills for career success States’ Career Clusters Initiative

8. Kentucky’s Career Clusters
Agriculture
Arts & Humanities
Business/Marketing
Communications
Construction
Education
Health Science
Human Services
Information Technology
Manufacturing
Public Services
Science & Mathematics
Social Sciences
Transportation

9. States’ Career Clusters Initiative
Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
Architecture & Construction
Arts, A/V Technology & Communications
Business, Management & Administration
Education & Training
Finance
Government & Public Administration
Health Science
Hospitality & Tourism
Human Services
Information Technology
Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security
Manufacturing
Marketing, Sales & Service
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

10. Definition of a Career Major
The career major is the central focus for developing the Individual Learning Plan, selecting high level academic and career-related courses, and identifying work-based learning experiences that prepare students for transition to postsecondary education, work, or the military. The career major consists of at least four high school courses in a related area fitting in one of your state’s identified career clusters.

11. Example of a Career Pathway

12. CTE Career Major Requirements

13. Example of an Honors Pathway

14. Example of a Non-CTE Pathway

15. Creating a Career Pathway
Select a Template - Link
Research Requirements - Link
Contact Area Community and Technical College or University
Check for Dual Credit/Articulation
Sequence Courses

16. Developing Leadership Skills
Developing Leaders, not Followers
Identifying Talents and Strengths
Focus on Self-Confidence and Learning
The Ladder to Success
The Power of the Human Mind

17. Contact Information
Noel Crum
CTE Principal/Coordinator