In May 2007, the 80^th Texas Legislature passed HB 3485, requiring the State Board of Education by rule to revise the essential knowledge and skills of the career and technical education not later than September 1, 2009.

In 2005, the Texas CTE program began the transition from 6 program areas to 16 career clusters based on the US Department of Education’s Career Cluster Model. The first drafts of the CTE Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) have been completed by the SBOE-appointed CTE TEKS review committees and are organized by cluster. The clusters are as follows:

· Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

· Architecture and Construction

· Arts, A/V Technology and Communication

· Business Management and Administration

· Education and Training

· Finance

· Government and Public Administration

· Health Science

· Hospitality and Tourism

· Human Services

· Information Technology

· Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security

· Manufacturing

· Marketing

· Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

· Transportation, Distribution and Logistics

TEKS for middle school and career preparation are also included.

· Career Development, Middle School and Grades 9 – 12

Included with each cluster is a course crosswalk comparing the 1997 courses to the draft recommendations for 2008 courses.  These draft TEKS and crosswalks are posted on the TEA website at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/teks/cteTEKS.html to solicit informal feedback from stakeholders before the CTE TEKS Writing Teams convene in January to finalize their recommendations to the SBOE. 

If you have any questions, please email one of the CTE Program Directors or call 512-463-9581.

State CTE Review and Rewrite Update

In an effort to prepare Texas students for educational success and a dynamic Texas job market, the 80th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 3485. The purpose of the legislation is to update career and technical education (CTE) programs with current industry skill standards, infuse academics relevant to career fields, identify CTE courses to satisfy fourth year math or science requirements and increase the number of high school students earning college credit while in high school.

This week, CTE Writing Teams will convene in Austin to begin reviewing and updating CTE TEKS and organize them into coherent sequences that:

• Support challenging academic and technical standards
• Reinforce national cluster knowledge and skills
• Align to postsecondary programs
• Lead to technical skill attainment and an industry-recognized credential or certificate at the postsecondary level or an associate or baccalaureate degree

The teams will identify, develop and recommend advanced CTE courses to satisfy fourth year math and/or science graduation credit requirements, ensuring courses contain substantially rigorous academic content relevant to career fields.

The fast-paced 10 month review and rewrite process will allow for review and input by academic curriculum experts, postsecondary faculty and industry partners. CTE updated TEKS and recommendations for courses to satisfy fourth year math and science requirements will be presented to the State Board of Education for approval and adoption no later than September 1, 2009.

Additionally, the Writing Teams will recommend quality innovative courses to be offered statewide and identify courses and TEKS appropriate for an accelerated review cycle based on current and emerging industries experiencing dynamic changes in skill requirements.

The Writing Teams consist of secondary and postsecondary CTE faculty including teachers, administrators, counselors and employers. Teams are divided into six panels, each responsible for TEKS revisions in multiple clusters. The work of the CTE Writing Teams will be posted for public comment on the TEA website once complete.

The 10-member CTE Review Panel will continue to meet over the next year to review the articulation process between high schools, community colleges, and four-year institutions and recommend ways to simplify the process and increase statewide articulation. The Review Panel will also draft policy recommendations to positively impact statewide career and technical education, student opportunities and workforce development.  

CTE TEKS Writing Team:
Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources/Transportation, Distribution & Logistics Clusters
Christyn Mc Cann, Secondary Teacher
Della Berlanga, Counselor
Adan Gutierrez, Community College
Jason Butler, Secondary Teacher
Chad Baskin, Secondary Teacher
Robert Herrington, University
Allen Kaminski, Adminsitrator
Barney McClure, Secondary Teacher
Loucious Newhouse, Business & Industry
Megan Oliver, Counselor
Steve Forsythe, Secondary Teacher
Norris Martin, Community College
Kyle McGregor, University
Ned Meister, Business & Industry
Doug Ullrich, University