Design, Develop and Apply for a Program of Study
The design of a Program of Study (POS) is not a 1-time activity; once approved it remains a living document and must be maintained and updated to be in alignment with industry standards and practices. Each Program of Study must be renewed every 4th year to assure it is still in alignment with State and Federal Guidelines for a Program of Study.
Each high school course receiving benefits from Perkins funds is required to have a current Program of Study approved by the Oregon Department of Education. The intent is to combine technical, academic, and career knowledge and skills to prepare students for self-sufficiency and career success.
The Program of Study Core Element Purpose
1. Access and Equity
2. Standards and Content
3. Alignment and Articulation
4. Accountability and Evaluation
5. Student Support Services
6. Professional Development
For more detailed explanations of each element can be found in the Oregon CTE Policy Guidebook, starting on Page 25, linked below.
Note: All applications (Start-up, New, or Renewal) are completed in conjunction with and under the review of the Regional Coordinator.
Programs of Study (POS)
CTE offers a structured sequence of courses designed to prepare students for specific careers. Key features include:
- Non-Duplicative Courses: A progressive curriculum that builds knowledge.
- Work-Based Learning: Internships, apprenticeships, and certifications bridge the classroom to the workplace.
- Industry Alignment: Courses developed with businesses to meet workforce demands.
- Skilled Educators: Teachers bring both industry experience and educational expertise.
Applying for a Start-up Program of Study
A Start-Up CTE Program is an intentional sequence of secondary CTE courses leading to the development of a full CTE POS. The Start-Up phase of a CTE Program may last up to three years, building to a full CTE POS meeting size, scope, and quality requirements.
For state approval, start-up applications do not have to provide evidence that a start-up program will meet all six required elements or size, scope, and quality of a CTE POS.
The following information is not required to be filled out for a CTE Start-up Application, but ODE encourages inclusion of the information if the program components are already established: Additional Components of a High Quality Program of Study section, Community College Grid, Teacher Grid, or Initial Approval Assurances for Advisory Committee Member and Community College Administrator.
One course is required on the CTE Start-up Application Matrix Form. A course may be identified as a CTE class if it includes instruction addressing skills from the Oregon Skill Sets and is included within a state approved CTE program.
Perkins federal funding may be used for some of the start-up costs associated with the development toward a full CTE POS. The start-up application does require an estimated Cost to Start up Program and the Expected Use of Allowed Perkins Start-up Dollars.
Contact your Regional Coordinator (Jan Osborn or jan.osborn@pcc.edu) before you begin this process.
Moving a Start-Up Program of Study to a Full Program of Study
Based in federal Perkins Act legislation, a CTE POS is a state-approved, non-duplicative sequence of academic and technical content that spans secondary and postsecondary educations. CTE Programs of Study lead to an industry recognized credential, postsecondary certificate of completion, or a degree. CTE programs of study feature contextualized and hands-on courses, with a minimum of three, non-duplicative high school credits (beginning in 2023-2024) aligned to a postsecondary certificate or degree program of at least 36 credits.
For state approval, schools must align CTE programming with labor market needs, meet criteria for program size, scope, and quality and meet all six elements of a CTE POS listed above.
The following sections of Full Applications are required to be filled out prior to submitting the application to ODE for review: School and District, Program Area, CIP and Framework, Course Matrix Form, Additional Components of a High Quality Program of Study, Teacher Grid, Community College Grid, Components of a High Quality Program of Study Comments and the Initial Approval Assurances. All CTE POS in Oregon must include at least three, non-duplicative CTE high school credits on the matrix form.
Together these sections demonstrate and provide the necessary evidence on how a POS is meeting required elements.
Contact your Regional Coordinator (Jan Osborn or jan.osborn@pcc.edu) during this process, as PACTEC staff will assist with this process
Completing the POS Renewal Application
Based in federal Perkins Act legislation, a CTE POS is a state-approved, non-duplicative sequence of academic and technical content that spans secondary and postsecondary educations. CTE Programs of Study lead to an industry recognized credential, postsecondary certificate of completion, or a degree. CTE programs of study feature contextualized and hands-on courses, with a minimum of three, non-duplicative high school credits (beginning in 2023-2024) aligned to a postsecondary certificate or degree program of at least 36 credits.
For state approval, schools must align CTE programming with labor market needs, meet criteria for program size, scope, and quality and meet all six elements of a CTE POS as listed above.
The following sections of Renewal Applications are required to be filled out prior to submitting the application to ODE for review: School and District, Program Area, CIP and Framework, Course Matrix Form, Additional Components of a High Quality Program of Study, Teacher Grid, Community College Grid, Components of a High Quality Program of Study Comments and the Initial Approval Assurances. All CTE POS in Oregon must include at least three, non-duplicative CTE high school credits on the matrix form.
Together these sections demonstrate and provide the necessary evidence on how a POS is meeting required elements.
Contact your Regional Coordinator (Jan Osborn or jan.osborn@pcc.edu) during this process, as PACTEC staff will assist with this process.