Public Access to Program Approval

Course Matrix

2023-24 Secondary Pathways updated September 2024

Colorado CTE Career Clusters Model – updated March 2023

Secondary CIP Code List (excel)

Pathways linked to Top 10 Certificates

Automotive Services

Business Administration

Education and Training

EMT

Engineering and Technology

Medical Assistant

Network Systems and Security

Pharmacy Tech

Things to prepare for new Program Approval process:

As a reminder, in the CTE Administrators Handbook per Section 3.5.1 Courses Standards:

Courses included in programs for approval must provide instruction aligned to the state-approved competencies for the Program of Study reflected in the Program Approval. a. State level secondary courses were designed in a manner to provide school districts “local control” to add additional content to the approved competencies. b. To accomplish this, state level secondary courses were designed to include competencies that are intended to cover 60% of the instructional time in a given schedule type; leaving 40% of the overall instructional time open for additional competencies for industry recognized credentials or experiential learning etc. c. The expectation is that 100% of the state level secondary course competencies are covered in each course in each pathway identified in the Program Approval; again this 100% only covers 60% of the instructional time to leave 40% up to local determination.

  • Program Quality Action Plan –

  • Advisory Committee Roster

  • CTSO Program of Work Resources

  • Syllabus – only needed if course name will be different to show that competencies align with state competencies

  • Review Checklist for your Program Area: Checklist for Educators

  • Work Based Learning Documentation

    • Project Outline (if selecting “Industry Sponsored Project”) or
    • Student Responsibilities (if selecting “Supervised Ent. Experience”) or
    • Sample Work Plan (if selecting “Learning at Work” – Internship, Apprenticeship, Clinicals etc)

    For examples, please visit the Work Based Learning section of website: https://coloradostateplan.com/educator/work-based-learning/

  • If submitting an ACE Program Approval, copy/paste the following two statements to complete the Employment Demand and Occupational Outlook sections:

    • For Employment Demand use: Due to the nature of the ACE CTE Program design, a specific occupational outlook is not applicable. ACE CTE is a multi-occupational pathway that facilitates individualized, developmentally appropriate programming necessary to support CTE students (inclusive of those identified as special populations ). ACE CTE students will demonstrate competency in Postsecondary Workforce Readiness (PWR) that lead to technical skill attainment in any chosen occupation with a focus on high wage occupations or high skill, in high demand industries that promote self-sufficiency.
    • For Occupational Outlook use: Due to the nature of the ACE CTE Program design, students will prepare for occupations dependent upon individual students’ career interests, aptitudes, abilities, and individual needs. ACE CTE is a multi-occupational pathway that facilitates individualized, developmentally appropriate programming necessary to support CTE students (inclusive of those identified as special populations ). ACE CTE students will demonstrate competency in Postsecondary Workforce Readiness (PWR) that lead to technical skill attainment in any chosen occupation with a focus on high wage occupations or high skill, in high demand industries that promote self-sufficiency.
    • Also, in regards to the Concentrator definition,  ACE CTE programs have unique flexibility to reflect demonstration of the two year requirement to meet Concentrator status. Consider the individualized nature of ACE CTE programs when submitting a program approval. Leverage the co-enrollment and local design of CTE Lab, Capstone and WBL course sequences within the ACE CTE Scope.

  • Secondary Program Approval 101 – Videos

    How to Enter a Program Approval into the Colorado Gateway

    1. Introduction and General section, contact information, & Pathways
    1. Courses- Overview of State Course Entry
    1. Advanced courses- Deep dive – custom courses, name changes, etc.
    1. Program of Study

    Assurances

    1. General Assurances- including QAP- quality action plan
    1. Industry Connection to Program: Advisory Committee Roster
    1. Work-based learning
    1. CTSO (Career and Technical Student Organization)- program of work and local documentation
    1. CTE Education Standards and Academic Alignment and other assurances
    1. Briefing on the Revision process