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CTE Newsletter
April 2024
This update is provided by the Career and Technical Education team at the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. We welcome your support in encouraging anyone who would benefit from the information to join our listserv. Individuals can sign up here. Questions can be shared with CTE@che.IN.gov.
NLPS Review Document
The NLPS Review Document has been updated and the latest version can be found here. Updates include:
- Updated postsecondary alignments reflecting known changes being made in the Dual Credit Crosswalk. The 2024-25 CTE Dual Credit Crosswalk is undergoing final review and will be released in the May newsletter.
- This includes the alignment of Ivy Tech’s AGRI 102 (Agricultural Business and Farm Management) to Principles of Agriculture (7117). With this adjustment, course competencies have also been updated for 7117.
- Updates to assignment codes. The assignment codes document was shared in the February newsletter and those updates are now incorporated into the Review Document.
- Course competencies/standards for the two concentrator courses in the new Social and Community Services pathway, Fundamentals of Human Services (7276) and Community Health Worker (7278).
- Addition of competencies/standards for courses that previously did not have competencies in the Review Document, including Introduction to Health Science Careers (5272), Technical Math (7218), Tractor Trailer Operations (5622), Biomedical Innovations (5219), Introduction to Public Safety & First Responders (7190), Digital Applications and Responsibility (4528), and Cooperative Education (6162).
- An adjustment to how the Cybersecurity pathway options appear in the Review Document. Ivy Tech’s Cybersecurity and Information Assurances program now appears as its own pathway to help clarify options. NLPS has always included two separate (one Vincennes and one Ivy Tech) Cybersecurity pathway options, but the Ivy Tech aligned pathway was previously embedded within the IT Operations program of study.
- Work-Based Learning course descriptions and hour requirements have been refreshed to correct some inconsistencies and to align with current guidance.
As a reminder, all NLPS resources are located on our NLPS Resource Page. Individuals are encouraged to frequently check the page to ensure the most recent version of a resource is being utilized. Past newsletters can be found here.
Work-Based Learning Survey
The Commission for Higher Education and the Indiana Department of Education are conducting surveys of school corporations and intermediary organizations on the topic of work-based learning. The goal of both surveys is to learn more about the good work happening in schools and communities across Indiana with regard to work-based learning opportunities, as well as how the state can continue to support and scale these efforts.
School Corporation WBL Survey: This optional survey is designed for district- and school-level administrators and staff familiar with work-based learning activities (CTE directors, superintendents, principals, work-based learning coordinators, school counselors, other administrators, etc.).
Intermediary WBL Survey: This optional survey is designed for intermediary organizations engaged with work-based learning activities (non-profit/community-based organizations, workforce boards, local chambers, employer associations, etc.)
We know this is a busy time of year and appreciate your feedback!
Career Awareness Course: As shared previously, the standards for Preparing for College and Careers (PCC) have been updated to meet the requirements for the Career Awareness Course requirement included in HEA 1002-2023. Those standards can be found in the NLPS Review Document. A few additional clarifications:
- The 2034 cohort is the first that must complete PCC before the end of 9th grade.
- PCC can still be taken in 8th grade and meet the requirement. The course also qualifies for CTE funding when offered in the 8th grade.
- PCC must be offered beginning this upcoming school year (2024-2025) if a school corporation is not already doing so.
Financial Literacy Requirement: Pursuant to Indiana Code (IC) 20-30-5-19 (2023), each school corporation, charter school, and state-accredited non-public school must include instruction concerning personal financial responsibility in its high school curriculum. This requirement begins with the 2028 cohort. The CTE team collaborated with IDOE staff to provide guidance in support of implementing this requirement. The memo released in February by IDOE is available here.
Computer Science Requirement: Legislation (HEA 1243) was passed during the recently concluded legislative session instituting a computer science graduation requirement beginning with the 2029 cohort. CTE staff are collaborating with IDOE staff on guidance related to this new requirement. Information will be shared by both agencies once guidance is finalized, including through the May CTE newsletter.
The public comment period for the draft Perkins (CTE) State Plan concluded on April 12. Minor edits are currently being finalized prior to the Plan being shared with the Commission for Higher Education for ratification at the May Commission meeting. The Plan will then be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education.
An Executive Summary highlights key proposed changes within the State Plan. The Executive Summary also shares how the State Plan connects with the Commission’s HOPE Agenda, Indiana’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Plan, and a forthcoming CTE Strategic Plan planned for release prior to the 2024-2025 school year.
A webinar from March providing additional details regarding the State Plan can be found here. Your interest and input in Indiana’s goals and priorities related to Career and Technical Education is appreciated. Questions regarding the State Plan can be shared with our team by contacting CTE@che.in.gov.
Career Scholarship Account Program
Indiana launched the Career Scholarship Account (CSA) program last school year as part of HEA 1002-2023. The CSA program provides $5,000 annually for tenth- through twelfth-grade students enrolled in eligible Work-Based Learning programs.
Provider applications for the 2024-2025 school year remain open, and information can be found here. Entities eligible to apply as a CSA provider include employers, intermediaries, labor organizations, and schools. Questions can be shared with CSA@che.in.gov.
Additional information regarding the CSA program can be found here.
High School Diploma Redesign
The Indiana Department of Education shared an initial proposal at the March State Board of Education meeting regarding new draft diploma requirements. The presentation shared at the meeting can be found here and the meeting recording can be found here.
Prior to the final adoption of these new diploma requirements in late summer 2024, the Indiana State Board of Education and the Indiana Department of Education are gathering extensive stakeholder feedback to improve the current draft diploma requirements. The first official public comment period will open later this spring, but immediate feedback is being received now through this JotForm. Additional information can be found here.
Following the 2023 legislative session, high school seniors are required to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), with opt-out provisions available. Filing the FAFSA is the first step to accessing over $400 million in state financial aid and billions of dollars in federal aid that can provide assistance to students no matter the path they choose. Whether students are looking to earn a short-term credential or technical certificate to build their employable skills or increase their preparedness to further their education and career goals, the FAFSA is the key to unlocking those opportunities. One specific program the FAFSA can help unlock is Indiana’s Next Level Jobs program, which allows individuals with a high school degree to pursue eligible certificate programs in high-demand fields tuition-free.
While CHE will not extend the recently passed April 15 priority filing deadline, schools should continue to encourage students and families to file. State aid will be awarded to all Hoosiers who filed by Monday, April 15, and qualify based on their FAFSA. After that, CHE will award state aid on a first-come, first-serve basis if funds remain. See this announcement for additional FAFSA updates. CHE’s Outreach Coordinators are available to assist students, families, and school or community partners with FSA ID creation, FAFSA filing/corrections, and appeals. Hoosier families can also access free FAFSA help through INvestEd by email at outreach@investedindiana.org or phone at 317-715-9007.
CONTACT US:
CTE@che.in.gov
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