Programs of Study

The programs of study (POS) provide successful student transitions between secondary and postsecondary education. The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins IV) calls upon states to create sequences of academic and career technical education (CTE) coursework to help students attain a postsecondary degree or industry-recognized certificate or credential.

At minimum, POS must:

Incorporate and align secondary and postsecondary education elements
Include academic and CTE content in a coordinated, non-duplicative progression of courses
Offer the opportunity, where appropriate, for secondary students to acquire postsecondary credits
Lead to an industry-recognized credential or certificate at the postsecondary level, or an associate or baccalaureate degree
Support the tenants of the POS 10 Component Framework

The National Career Clusters™ Framework provides the organizational structure for developing POS. This National Framework incorporates Knowledge and Skills at the essential, career cluster and pathway levels to assist school counselors and guide students in developing personal Plans of Study to achieve student goals. Coursework organized with the National Career Clusters™ Framework results in an efficient, effective, and streamlined POS.

National Framework Supports POS Development and Implementation

The National Career Clusters™ Framework is identified as part of the POS 10 component design framework that supports the development and implementation of effective POS. Although the 10 POS components are important, they are not independent or of equal priority. Program implementers must identify the most pressing components for state or local adoption, taking into consideration their relative need within the educational context. To learn more about these design components—and what state and local program developers should do to fulfill their requirements—please click on the resources below.

Programs of Study: Local Implementation Readiness and Capacity Self-Assessment (August 2010, PDF, http://cte.ed.gov/docs/POSLocalImplementationTool-9-14-10.pdf)
Components and Subcomponents of the POS Design Framework (http://cte.ed.gov/initiatives/programs-of-study)

For more resources to assist with Career Clusters™ implementation, click here.

The 10 POS Components:

Legislation and Policies
Partnerships
Professional Development
Accountability and Evaluation Systems
College and Career Readiness Standards
Course Sequences
Credit Transfer Agreements
Guidance Counseling and Academic Advisement
Teaching and Learning Strategies
Technical Skills Assessments

POS Operational Definition

A program of study (POS) is a comprehensive, structured approach for delivering academic and career and technical education to prepare students for postsecondary education and career success. U.S. Department of Education