ALIGNING EDUCATION & INDUSTRY THROUGH RELEVANT AND RIGOROUS PROGRAMS

“Please know that the work you [CTE Foundation] do is unparalleled in the field of education…You are putting more young people into the trades by providing them opportunities and that means a better life for many of these young men and women. Thank you.”

Cole Smith, CTE Instructor, Rancho Cotate High School

We invest in educational strategies that bring relevancy to the classroom. CTE Model programs are designed to provide students with opportunities for career exploration while developing skills required for success in college and career, and ultimately improving academic outcomes. Our aim is to significantly improve overall student success and achievement through innovative programs that simultaneously mirror local and regional economic and workforce trends.

Aligning Industry and Education Through Competitive Grant Making

Grants to schools to enhance or expand programs for career technical education and training in Sonoma County. READ MORE

Addressing Regional Workforce Needs through Education

Partnerships for industry-based learning and career exploration. READ MORE

Creating Relevance for Students Through Industry Engagement

Special initiatives that provide opportunities for all students to prepare for entry level-positions, lifelong careers, and post-secondary education. READ MORE

Women Investing in STEM Equity (WISE)

Investing in STEM initiatives for girls and women that enrich learning and career opportunities. READ MORE

THE CTE MODEL

1. The CTE course provides high school credit and aligns with one of the key Sonoma County economic development industries:

Advanced Technology and Manufacturing (Including STEM)
Agriculture
Sonoma Specialties (wine, food and tourism)
Health and Wellness
Construction/Green Services

2. The course allows for students of all abilities and educational pathways to engage.

3. The course has an integrated broad academic component, aligned with common core state standards and related to and relevant to the CTE career cluster, such as developing integrated projects with a core academic teacher, Mathematics, Science, Social Science or English Language Arts. Training for developing these projects is available through SCOE CTE Support Services as part of their Career Pathways Trust Grant in the Northern California Career Pathway Alliance.

4. The course has an internal champion at the school (teacher/volunteer) and the full support of school and district leadership.

5. The school has access to facilities, staff & curriculum for this course.

6. The school plans to have a local company involved, such as providing support and assistance in the classroom for an integrated project, mentoring, equipment, work based learning opportunities, internships, etc.

7. The course has plans for, or existing articulation agreements with post-secondary education.

8. The course includes a Financial Literacy component.

9. The course includes a Work Readiness component.

10. The course attracts enough students to fill the course and they provide positive feedback to attract and encourage more students to attend in subsequent years.

11. The school/district annually measures the program’s impact and success based on anticipated outcomes.

Additional funding may be granted, as funds are available or as designated, for the following CTE support programs, supplies and staff development:

Career Exploration
Special Initiative Grants such as Regional Training for High Need Areas
21st Century Learning/Teacher Externships
CTE Equipment and Supplies