Committee hears CTE update as state refines credential bundles; district seeks partnerships

District leaders told the Building & Grounds and Security Committee on April 1 that statewide changes to Career and Technical Education (CTE) require the district to realign offerings so student credentials will count under a revised accountability system.

Dr. Mitchell, the district’s chief of schools, presented an audit showing which currently offered industry‑based credentials (IBCs) would remain valuable under the state’s updated framework. She said the state has defined “basic bundles” (groups of basic credentials) and “advanced credentials,” and that many existing local IBCs are now classified as emerging or no longer aligned with high‑wage occupations.

Why it matters: Under the state’s new accountability model, only certain bundles or advanced credentials will help students’ graduation credentials and the district’s school performance scores. Staff said the district must expand advanced credential options on high school campuses and at the Caddo Career Center and will pursue partnerships to deliver bundled credentials the state requires.

Details and district response

State changes and local audit: Dr. Mitchell described a color‑coded audit of local high‑school CTE offerings: green items lead to advanced credentials, orange items are basic credentials not yet in a state bundle, and purple (emerging) items no longer align with high‑wage occupations. She said the state has released five basic bundles so far and more are expected; some bundles require students to earn multiple credentials together (for example, CNA + phlebotomy + EKG technician for a particular medical bundle).

Staffing and certification constraints: Committee members asked how the district will staff higher‑level credentials. Dr. Mitchell and Superintendent Burton said the district will seek partnerships with local colleges and industry providers (Northwest Louisiana Technical College, regional hospitals, the Chamber and economic development groups) to provide staff, dual‑enrollment and remote‑site instruction for credentials that are difficult to staff at single high‑school campuses.

Work‑based learning and partnerships: Burton said the district is pursuing internships and employer partnerships to help students meet bundle requirements and earn work‑based learning experiences. He described ongoing outreach to the Chamber of Commerce, Committee of a Hundred and regional economic development organizations, and said a partnership pitch to the committee of a hundred was scheduled in mid‑April.

Questions from board members and next steps: Board members asked for a plain‑language key to acronyms and an explanation of which credential bundles will be required next year. Staff agreed to provide a glossary and to return with a more formal plan that shows what the Caddo Career Center and individual high schools will offer under the new state rules. Dr. Mitchell said the district will prioritize medical, construction and other high‑demand career fields and use modified scheduling and partnerships to expand access.

Ending: Staff characterized the work as a multi‑year transition driven by state policy; committee members and staff emphasized urgency around aligning offerings so students can earn credentials that count under the updated accountability system.