Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Cte Work Based Learning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves CTE high‑quality work‑based learning implementation guide
Summary
The Virginia Board of Education voted to approve a revised guide that defines and clarifies criteria for high‑quality Career and Technical Education (CTE) work‑based learning experiences, adopts new metrics and allows greater local flexibility on credentialing and coordinators.
The Virginia Board of Education voted to approve final revisions to the CTE High‑Quality Work‑Based Learning Implementation Guide, which clarifies what counts as high‑quality work‑based learning and sets new state reporting metrics.
Anthony Williams, director of the Office of Career and Technical Education at VDOE, presented the revisions and summarized stakeholder feedback. The guide now: (1) recognizes experiential work with intelligent machines and AI as valid hands‑on learning in some fields; (2) removes a mandatory requirement that students earn a national certificate, credential or postsecondary credit, making those outcomes optional rather than required; (3) requires school divisions to designate a work‑based learning coordinator (which may be the CTE teacher of record); and (4) establishes annual state metrics — student job placement, training completion, program cost and cost per participant — for program evaluation and reporting to the state workforce dashboard.
Williams said the office would submit the guide to the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall for a 30‑day public comment period pursuant to the Administrative Process Act and notify divisions via superintendent memorandum upon posting.
Board members asked whether the guide's focus on high‑demand occupations would neglect ‘‘high‑quality’’ fields that may not currently appear on the high‑demand dashboard. Williams replied that VDOE is working with other workforce agencies to create a consolidated definition of ‘‘high quality’’ and that the high‑demand list will be updated approximately every two years.
Miss Mary McPherson and other members asked about transitional protections for current seniors; VDOE staff said other pathways remain available to seniors and that the 2025–26 school year is the implementation year. Several board members encouraged a limited transition period to avoid harming students already in diploma pathways.
The board approved the guide and delegated authority to VDOE staff to make technical edits. Votes were recorded as aye by the board present; the motion passed.
Ending: VDOE will post the guide for public comment and begin division outreach; the board tasked staff with monitoring implementation and supporting divisions, especially rural communities with fewer placement opportunities.
