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 Approved Programs of Study Documents

​​​​​​​​​​​Below are the initial results of ongoing work between the Technical College System of Georgia and the Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) area of the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) to update Career Pathway Programs of Study.

Perkins V Programs of Study Overview

GaDOE CTAE and TCSG define a program of study as “a coordinated, non-duplicative sequence of academic and technical content at the secondary and postsecondary level that –

  • Incorporates challenging state academic standards, including those adopted by a state under section 1111(b)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
  • Addresses both academic and technical knowledge and skills, including employability skills.
  • Is aligned with the needs of industries in the economy of the state, region, Tribal community, or local area.
  • Progresses in specificity (beginning with all aspects of an industry or career cluster and leading to more occupation-specific instruction).
  • Has multiple entry and exit points that incorporate credentialing.
  • Culminates in the attainment of a recognized postsecondary credential.” (Public Law 115-224).

Each program of study contains the following elements to better inform parents, students, school counselors, and educators:

  • Secondary academic courses for mathematics, English, science, social sciences,required elective courses, and elective courses as defined by Georgia’s State Board of Education graduation requirements
  • Three sequenced secondary CTAE career pathway courses for each specific pathway, culminating with work-based learning experiences
  • Entrance and exit points into postsecondary options for Technical Certificates of Credit (TCCs), diplomas, associate, and/or bachelor’s degrees with an explanation of the entrance and exit point options
  • End of Pathway Assessment links and references to possible Industry-Recognized Credentials, State Licensure exams, Occupational Skill exams, or State-Developed exams,
  • Career examples for each career pathway that meet the criteria for high-wage, high-skill, or in-demand careers
  • Occupations and related occupations for each chosen career pathway
  • Career enhancement options and postsecondary transition information that will assist secondary students matriculating to technical college, college, or university
  • Succinct description and narrative for each career pathway about career options, choices, and skill requirements

​The Programs of Study are created to help students, school counselors, advisors, educators, and parents understand the many opportunities for additional learning to help prepare students for what they want to be after they graduate high school and how they can achieve their career dreams.

Students now have three ways to be considered a pathway completer in a career and technical area.

    1. Completion of traditional high school CTAE career pathway that consists of 3 specific CTAE courses and culminates with an End Of Pathway Assessment that may result in student receiving a credential (i.e.: industry recognized, national or state-developed occupational, state licensure).
    2. Beginning in FY2018, completion of a Technical College System of Geogia (TCSG) Technical Certificates of Credit (TCC) will count as a credential on the annual CCRPI index.
    3. Locally-developed CTAE pathways that are responsive to local community and business/industry needs and are approved through the CTA​E Local Pathway Development process.
​Approved Program of Study career pathway documents ​