The Tennessee Council for Career and Technical Education (TCCTE) is a legislated council formed to ensure that high-quality Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs best serve Tennesseans and prepare students for successful ventures in postsecondary education, careers, and life in general.
The TCCTE advises the governor’s office, the General Assembly, the Tennessee Board of Regents and the State Board of Education regarding CTE access, implementation, and funding. Union County High School is engaged with their initiatives and are enhancing the programs of study offered for Union County students.
TCCTE recommended a statewide initiative to build opportunities linking industries and schools' CTE programs.
Union County High School (UCHS) CTE Director Bryan Shoffner says that UCHS has done just that, “We offer courses that provide industry certification and dual credit for postsecondary education for all interested UCHS students.”
What does this mean? Industry certification? Dual credit for post secondary education? It means UCHS students are better equipped by the partnerships the school has formed with employers and higher level educational institutions.
Industry certification is described on the tn.gov website as certifications “earned through secondary and postsecondary career and technical education programs and courses.
"High school students are encouraged to focus their elective credits on robust, career-aligned learning pathways. Robust learning pathways should culminate with the achievement of nationally recognized industry certifications, meaningful work-based learning experiences, and/or attainment of postsecondary credit hours through early postsecondary opportunities.
"As it pertains to industry certifications, all department-promoted certifications are aligned with postsecondary and employment opportunities and with the competencies and skills that students should have acquired through their chosen programs of study.”
The UCHS programs of study for industry certifications offered during the 2019-2020 school year are:
- Agricultural Engineering and Applied Technologies
- Precision Measurement Instruments
- Briggs and Stratton Small Engine Repair
- Horticulture Science
- Commercial Pesticide
- Structural Systems
- National Center of Construction Education Research (NCCER)
- Mechatronics
- Precision Measurement Instruments
- Diagnostic Services, Therapeutic Services, and Sport and Human Performance
- Emergency Services
- Emergency Medical Responder
- Nursing Services
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Cosmetology
- TN State Board of Cosmetology
- Web Design
- Computers TIA Fundamentals
- Maintenance and Light Repair
- PMI
- Automotive Service Excellence
Dual credit is a bit different from industry certification. Dual credit is college-level credit courses offered and mastered by high school students before high school graduation, but the credits apply both toward college required credits and high school graduation credit requirements. Therefore, the term “dual” references that a student is taking both a high school course and a college-level course before entering a college setting. UCHS students that are enrolled in dual credit courses take the online challenge exams, which is used to assess their mastery of the postsecondary-level learning objectives.
UCHS dual credit courses for the 2019-2020 school year include:
- Horticulture Science
- State-wide Plant Science
- Criminal Justice and Correctional Services
- State-wide Criminal Justice II
- Walters State Criminal Justice II
- Web Design
- Walters State Computer Science Foundations
Dual enrollment courses are much like dual credit; however, dual enrollment refers to students that are enrolled in a specific educational institution (college or trade school) while taking college-level courses in a high school setting, college setting, or online and earning only college credit.
Dual enrollment courses are not allowed to be used as earned credits toward high school graduation requirements. Dual enrollment courses require an institutional host such as a college or trade school. UCHS works with Walters State Community College (WSCC), Roane State Community College (RSCC), and Tennessee College of Applied Technologies (TCAT) in our current programs.
UCHS dual enrollment courses for the 2019-2020 school year include:
- Mechatronics
- Electrical Components (RSCC)
- Mechanical Components and Electrical Motors (RSCC)
- Pneumatic and Hydraulic Control Circuits (RSCC)
- Digital Fundamentals and Programmable Logic Controllers (RSCC)
- Emergency Services
- Emergency Services (WSCC)
- Nursing Services
- Medical Terminology (WSCC)
- Cosmetology
- 4 dual enrollment classes (TCAT)
- Banking and Finance
- Banking and Finance (WSCC)
- Maintenance and Light Repair
- Maintenance and Light Repair (TCAT)
More than ever, Tennessee educators and employers are immensely aware of the importance of preparing future generations for life after high school. Whatever career students are planning, CTE programs are a great way that students can leave high school prepared for college or training—or head right into the workforce. With new initiatives like Tennessee Promise and Drive to 55, students who have a head start on postsecondary education are more likely to successfully make their transition.
Shoffner says “We are eager to add more options to the course listing for the 2020-2021 school year. We are scheduled to offer dual enrollment Anatomy and Physiology with TCAT of Knoxville and our CNA certification hours will transfer toward Medical Assisting at TCAT of Knoxville.”
This vast array of academic pathways and modern curriculum related to industry guidelines will serve to further enhance the success of students for years to come and for Union County overall.
The UCHS Career Fair at UCHS was held on October 3, where 30 of the community partners attended. Community relationships and partnerships intensify the strength of the CTE program and grow the diversity of options for students. Businesses and organizations interested in becoming a partner with UCHS should contact Bryan Shoffer at UCHS.