What are CTE AND WORK BASED LEARNING?
Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs offered at Albany High School include a wide variety of pathways designed to prepare students for both college and career. Students completing a CTE pathway are ready for entry level positions in their field and an advanced education such as a two-year community college, a four-year college, technical certification programs, an apprenticeship program or military service. Students completing a CTE pathway earn advanced placement and/or college credit. Each year, students in a CTE pathway participate in work-based learning experiences such as guest speakers, field trips and job shadows. Seniors participate in an internship through either the CEIP (Career Exploration Internship Program) or CO-OP (Cooperative Work Experience Program). Additionally, students who successfully complete a CTE pathway and certain other requirements can earn a CTE Technical Endorsement on their Regents diplomas (please refer to CTE Technical Endorsement section for further details).
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Career and Technical Education (CTE) is a program of study that involves a multiyear program of study that integrates core academic knowledge with technical and occupational knowledge to provide students with a pathway to postsecondary education and careers.
Work-Based Learning (WBL)
Work-based learning (WBL) is the “umbrella” term used to identify activities which collaboratively engage employers and schools in providing structured learning experiences for students. These experiences focus on assisting students develop broad, transferable skills for postsecondary education and the workplace. A quality WBL program can make school-based learning more relevant by providing students with the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to real world situations.
Work-based learning is supported in the school and at the worksite. While school-based learning focuses on academic and career and technical preparation as part of the classroom curriculum, worksite learning occurs, away from school, in a business or community organization.
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Career and Technical Education (CTE) is a program of study that involves a multiyear program of study that integrates core academic knowledge with technical and occupational knowledge to provide students with a pathway to postsecondary education and careers.
Work-Based Learning (WBL)
Work-based learning (WBL) is the “umbrella” term used to identify activities which collaboratively engage employers and schools in providing structured learning experiences for students. These experiences focus on assisting students develop broad, transferable skills for postsecondary education and the workplace. A quality WBL program can make school-based learning more relevant by providing students with the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to real world situations.
Work-based learning is supported in the school and at the worksite. While school-based learning focuses on academic and career and technical preparation as part of the classroom curriculum, worksite learning occurs, away from school, in a business or community organization.
Work Based Learning PROGRAMS:
CEIP (CAREER EXPLORATION INTERNSHIP PROGRAM)
GRADE 12, ½ CREDIT
PREREQ: NONE
This course allows students to complete an unpaid internship experience in one or two different careers that are of interest to them. Students will need to complete 54 hours in their internship experience and 27 hours of classroom instruction. Students can explore such careers as accounting, biology, criminal justice, child care, engineering, health care, journalism law, medicine, and teaching. This program gives students a firsthand opportunity to learn about a particular career. Students gain insight into the skills and educational requirements of that career prior to college. Students planning to enroll need to make a commitment of four to five hours a week to meet their internship hours obligation. In addition, students will also have one class meeting a week for the 27 hours of classroom instruction. CEIP is a ½ unit elective course open to ALL students in grade 12. Students who choose to enroll in this elective course are expected to demonstrate a level of responsibility and commitment appropriate for the workplace. Characteristics such as honesty, integrity, ethics, teamwork, and a positive attitude are expected. Applications to enroll in this program may be obtained from the guidance counselors.
GRADE 12, ½ CREDIT
PREREQ: NONE
- Age 14 and older
- Unpaid, on-site, hands-on
- Exploration rather than skills development
- Productive work is prohibited
- Supported by related classroom instruction
- School credit may be earned
- Minimum wage does not apply
- Employment certificate (working papers) required
- Prohibited occupations apply, no student-learner exception is allowed
- Hours limits apply based on NYS DOL Laws Governing the Employment of Minors
- Certificate of insurance from school to cover liability
- Employer’s Workers’ Compensation covers students when performing manual labor
This course allows students to complete an unpaid internship experience in one or two different careers that are of interest to them. Students will need to complete 54 hours in their internship experience and 27 hours of classroom instruction. Students can explore such careers as accounting, biology, criminal justice, child care, engineering, health care, journalism law, medicine, and teaching. This program gives students a firsthand opportunity to learn about a particular career. Students gain insight into the skills and educational requirements of that career prior to college. Students planning to enroll need to make a commitment of four to five hours a week to meet their internship hours obligation. In addition, students will also have one class meeting a week for the 27 hours of classroom instruction. CEIP is a ½ unit elective course open to ALL students in grade 12. Students who choose to enroll in this elective course are expected to demonstrate a level of responsibility and commitment appropriate for the workplace. Characteristics such as honesty, integrity, ethics, teamwork, and a positive attitude are expected. Applications to enroll in this program may be obtained from the guidance counselors.
CO-OP (Cooperative Career & Technical Education Work Experience Program)
Grade 12
PREREQ: Enrolled in final course of a CTE program of Study
- Age 16 and older
- Paid and non-paid, school-supervised work experience
- Development of career specific skills
- Productive work is allowed
- Supported by related school instruction
- School credit may be earned
- Minimum wage applies
- Employment certificate (working papers) required
- Can perform prohibited occupations ONLY if all criteria for student-learner exception are met
- Hours limits apply based on NYS DOL Laws Governing the Employment of Minors
- Employer’s Workers’ Compensation covers students when performing manual labor
- Certificate of insurance from school to cover liability
- Students enrolled in CTE programs of study may not earn extra credit since the WBL experience is included in the CTE credits
This program is embedded within CTE pathways and is designed to provide opportunities for students to learn and perform occupational skills on the job. The program will allow students to receive employment-related skills (work readiness). Students who have mastered the necessary initial preparation in an occupational program, will be placed in training stations with cooperating businesses and industries. The placement can be paid or unpaid and is at the discretion of the hosting business.
The placement is a school-supervised work experience, supported by related in-school instruction in a specific career and technical discipline. This program must be registered with the New York State Education Department, and must be coordinated by a CTE teacher who possesses an extension as a Diversified Co-op Coordinator or as a Coordinator of Work-Based Learning Programs for Career Development.