2016 – 2017
Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:	Exploration of Career and Technical Occupations
Program Type:	Orientation/Exploratory
Career Cluster:	Diversified Education

Secondary – Middle School	
Program Number	9100210	
CIP Number	10989999EX	
Grade Level	6-8	
Standard Length	Semester	
Teacher Certification	ANY FIELD WHEN CERT REFLECTS BACHELOR OR HIGHER
ANY VOCATIONAL FIELD OR COVERAGE
COOR WK EXP @7 7G	
CTSO	N/A 	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml	

Purpose 

The purpose of this program is to give students an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills related to the area of Exploration of Career and Technical Occupations.  To give students initial exposure to the skills and attitudes associated with occupations in a diverse range of careers.  

The content of this course will consist of the content contained in two or more existing exploration courses and may include instruction in making a career choice and the basic employability skills needed to locate, secure, and maintain employment.

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Florida Standards for Technical Subjects 

Florida Standards (FS) for English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects are the critical reading and writing literacy standards designed for grade 6 and above.  These standards are predicated on teachers of history/social studies, science, and technical subjects using their content area expertise to help students meet the particular challenges of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language in their respective fields.  It is important to note that the 6-12 literacy standards in history/social studies, science, and technical subjects are not meant to replace content standards in those areas but rather to supplement them.

This curriculum framework incorporates the grades 9-10 reading and writing literacy standards in the first two courses of this CTE program and grade 11-12 reading and writing literacy standards in the third and fourth courses of this CTE program.  The standards for Mathematical Practices describe varieties of expertise that educators at all levels should seek to develop in their students.  These practices rest on important “processes and proficiencies” with longstanding importance in mathematics education.  This curriculum framework incorporates the appropriate mathematical practices in the first four courses of this CTE program.  

Florida Standards for English Language Development (ELD)
English language learners communicate for social and instructional purposes within the school setting. ELD.K12.SI.1.1 

English Language Development (ELD) Standards Special Notes:
Teachers are required to provide listening, speaking, reading and writing instruction that allows English language learners (ELL) to communicate for social and instructional purposes within the school setting.   For the given level of English language proficiency and with visual, graphic, or interactive support, students will interact with grade level words, expressions, sentences and discourse to process or produce language necessary for academic success. The ELD standard should specify a relevant content area concept or topic of study chosen by curriculum developers and teachers which maximizes an ELL’s need for communication and social skills. To access an ELL supporting document which delineates performance definitions and descriptors, please click on the following link: http://www.cpalms.org/uploads/docs/standards/eld/SI.pdf.
For additional information on the development and implementation of the ELD standards, please contact the Bureau of Student Achievement through Language Acquisition at sala@fldoe.org.

Standards

The intended outcomes for this course will be those outcomes that are selected from other exploration courses and may also include instruction in making a career choice and in the basic employability skills needed to locate, secure, and maintain employment.

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students.

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities as identified on the secondary student’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP) or 504 plan or postsecondary student’s accommodations’ plan to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.

In addition to accommodations, some secondary students with disabilities (students with an IEP served in Exceptional Student Education (ESE)) will need modifications to meet their needs.  Modifications change the outcomes or what the student is expected to learn, e.g., modifying the curriculum of a secondary career and technical education course.  Note: postsecondary curriculum and regulated secondary programs cannot be modified.

Additional Resources

For additional information regarding articulation agreements, Bright Futures Scholarships, Fine Arts/Practical Arts Credit and Equivalent Mathematics and Equally Rigorous Science Courses please refer to:
http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml