Our Mission

Working together as a team, we will end the predictive value of race, class, gender, and special capacities for our children’s success through high quality teaching and learning for all. We seek to build relationships with families and communities to ensure that every student succeeds. We will know every student.

Our Mission

Career & Technical Education

Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs provide learners with the sequential electives required for graduation and the knowledge and skills they need to be prepared for college and careers. CTE courses emphasize real-world skills and practical knowledge within a selected career focus, and they lead to opportunities across a variety of careers, industries and pathways.

All CTE courses include contextual instruction and participation in co-curricular career and technical student organization (CTSO) activities, through which students will develop leadership, interpersonal and career skills. High-quality work-based learning (HQWBL) is embedded in CTE courses and provides experiential learning opportunities related to students’ career goals and interests, integrated with instruction and performed in partnership with local businesses and organizations.

All CTE courses are aligned with state-approved industry credentials as a part of the Virginia Department of Education’s High School Industry Credentialing initiative. CTE students have an opportunity to earn a credential or license by passing an approved exam as part of participation and learning in their chosen CTE program.

Resources:

V irginia's CTE Resources Center - Curriculum frameworks for for all CTE program areas

Post-Secondary and Employment Data (SCHEV) - Trends in postsecondary education relevant to local education and workforce needs.
Piedmont Workforce Network - Local employment and occupation data and projections.
Trailblazers - Employment and occupation data including regional industry profiles and projections.

CTE Advisory Committee:

The CTE Advisory Committee is a committee whose members represent business and industry, education, labor organizations, special populations, community, government, students, parents, and teachers.

Committee Purpose: 8 VAC 20-120-50 - Each local education agency or region shall establish a general career and technical education advisory committee to provide recommendations to the local educational agency (or board) on current job needs and the relevancy of career and technical education programs offered and to assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the local plan and application.

For more information about the CTE Advisory Committee, please contact Meagan Maynard, CTE Lead or Amber Roberts, Work & Community Based Learning Coordinator.

Required Notifications:

Career Readiness Certificate

All ACPS CTE students have the opportunity to obtain a nationally recognized career readiness certificate at their base high school, comprehensive community college (PVCC) or workforce center (CATEC).

Dual Enrollment, Advanced Placement Classes, and Special Programs

Students and their parents must be notified of the availability of dual enrollment; advanced placement classes; career and technical education programs, including internships, externships, apprenticeships, credentialing programs, certification programs, licensure programs, and other work-based learning experiences; the International Baccalaureate program; and Academic Year Governor's School Programs. The division publishes this information within Pathways to Your Future, the guide to high school credit courses. Refer to School Board Policy IGBJ, Advanced Placement Classes and Special Programs.

Students and parents also must be notified of the division’s agreement with a community college in the Commonwealth to enable students to complete an associate's degree or a one-year Uniform Certificate of General Studies concurrent with a high school diploma. Refer to School Board Policy LEB, Advanced/Alternative Courses for Credit.

Postsecondary Education and Employment Data

The school division's Career & Technical Education (CTE) program must include notice on its website to enrolled high school students and their parents of (1) the availability of postsecondary education and employment data published by the State Council of Higher Education, and (2) the opportunity for such students to obtain a nationally recognized career readiness certificate at a local public high school, comprehensive community college, or workforce center. The VDOE's Career & Technical Education (CTE) site provides additional CTE resources.

Nondiscrimination

Divisions must notify students, parents and others that they do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, and age. The division's Nondiscrimination Statement (Declaración de No-Discriminación), which includes contact information for our Compliance Officers, can be accessed from the menu at the bottom of every page of the division website. Relevant School Board policies include JB, Equal Educational Opportunities (for students); GB, Equal Employment Opportunity/Nondiscrimination (for employees); JFHA, Prohibition Against Harassment and Retaliation(for students); and GBA, Prohibition Against Harassment and Retaliation (for employees).