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Career and Technical Education

Welcome to Gilchrist County School District's Career and Technical Education (CTE) informational page. CTE is a planned program of courses and learning experiences that include opportunities for applied academics, club participation, internships, shadowing, On the Job Training (OJT), articulated college credit, industry certifications, and more! CTE courses can help you meet graduation requirements, because many of our CTE courses count as honors level electives, art credit, equally rigorous science credit, etc. The programs that we offer prepare students to exit high school college and career ready. Students that choose to enroll in college are better prepared for the rigor of that environment, may have earned credit as a part of their CTE program, and are more successful in demanding college classes. Students that choose to go straight into a career field are benefited by experience in the area, nationally recognized certifications in the industry, and an on-average higher pay rate. Students that choose to go into the military are able to enter at two pay grades higher if they have completed our JROTC program. There are many options for students beyond high school, and our CTE programs prepare our young adults for whichever path they take.

Students that participate in CTE courses across Florida have higher average GPA's, are less absent, have fewer disciplinary actions, dropout of school at a rate that is 9 times lower, are more likely to earn a diploma, are far more likely to be eligible for scholarships, and are found to be employed or enrolled in college at a much higher rate.

What is CTE?

Career and Technical Education is the blending of applied academic and career content. There are many opportunities for application of learning, such as clubs (FBLA, HOSA, FHA, etc), internships, shadowing, on the job training (OJT), an project-based activities. CTE also provides opportunities for postsecondary credit through articulation agreements statewide and with local colleges. Your child may receive college credit for passing an Industry Certification test!

Industry Certifications are credentials that your child can receive may passing a third-party assessment after completion of specific CTE coursework. An Industry Certification demonstrates that your child has met certain industry standards for knowledge and skill in a given area and improves his or her employability. If you child passes an Industry Certification and meet the requirements for a diploma, he or she can earn a MERIT designation.

Why is CTE important?

Career and Technical Education programs do so much for your child! Research shows that:

• More than 70% of CTE concentrators pursue college
• Involvement in CTE minimizes the risk of students dropping out of school
• High school students involved in CTE are more engaged, perform better, and graduate at higher rates
• High school students involved in CTE have less disciplinary referrals
• High school students involved in CTE are less likely to be involved in bullying

Check out the data below on Career and Professional Education (CAPE) students who earn industry certifications vs. other students:

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Program Information: