Cherokee County Schools operate the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs for grades 6-12. Students entering ninth grade select the Course of Study they wish to pursue and a career pathway from within the Course of Study. Pathways are designed to carry students through a planned series of educational experiences culminating in rewarding careers and independent adulthood. The Career and Technical Education Program incorporates ten career pathways in which numerous courses are available to students. Career pathways offer an approach to education that links what happens in the schools with opportunities in the real-world economy.

Partnerships with community stakeholders are an important aspect of the Career and Technical Education Program. Teachers and administrators work closely with Tri-County Community College, Employment Security Commission, Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, and businesses and industries within the county to prepare students for entering post-secondary education and/or employment. Internships and job shadowing will be a new focus for the 2008-09 school year as we prepare students for post secondary education and the work world.

Cherokee County Schools and Tri-County Community College have entered into an agreement for rewarding college credits for CTE courses taken while in high school. Students taking CTE courses who achieve a B or higher and earn an 80 or higher on the end of course VoCATS test will receive community college credit. In addition to articulated credit, we are currently partnering with Tri-County Community College and businesses and industries to incorporate the Work-Keys Program. Work-Keys is a nationally recognized program in which students can earn a bronze, silver or gold Career Readiness Certification, which designates that specific, rigorous qualifications have been met.

Please direct CTE questions to Jamie Barnett, CTE Coordinator for Cherokee County Schools.