CTE
Career &Technology Education
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For several decades, CTE has been evolving. No longer offering only traditional vocational education, CTE now offers a diverse range of subjects and career fields, including a number of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects. In addition, the distinction between CTE and academic programs is slowly disintegrating as integrating academic content into CTE has become a national education priority. CTE has become an indispensable lever for improving students’ college and career readiness. CTE plays a powerful role in preventing students from dropping out and provides a variety of opportunities for postsecondary success and employment, including pathways to a bachelor’s degree. CTE also can help all students achieve the objectives of the Kansas College and Career Ready Standards (KCCRS) through authentic, applied learning experiences. In short, CTE is a crucial change agent for the success of improving outcomes for all students.
Kansas utilizes the National Career Clusters® Framework. Technological advances and global competition have transformed the nature of work. Tomorrows jobs will require additional knowledge, improved skills and highly flexible workers who continually update their knowledge and skills. Career Clusters link what students learn in school to the knowledge and skills they need for success in postsecondary education and careers. At Kinsley-Offerle Jr/Sr High School, we offer 8 Career Pathways.
BioChemistry - Biochemistry education prepares students for the introduction to expanding careers that blend chemistry, engineering and biology with classes in environmental sciences, plants, animals, engineering, anatomy, and chemistry. This pathway is centered around technical skills and academic classes that lead to occupations commonly found in laboratories, hospitals, food industry, medical research, forensics, genetics, plant research, pharmaceuticals, microbiology, and environmental studies.
Business Finance - The Finance Cluster prepares learners for careers and/or continuing education opportunities in financial and investment planning, banking, insurance and business financial management. Career opportunities are available in every sector of the economy and require specific skills in organization, time management, customer service and communication. The Finance Cluster pathway was based primarily on the national business, management and entrepreneurship career cluster pathways and responsive to Kansas business and industry needs.
Construction & Design - The Construction and Design pathway coursework prepares students with the knowledge and skills necessary to continue education or pursue a career in architecture, construction, or a related design trades occupation. Students complete projects that focus on the design process, building prototypes, and developing a finished set of plans and material lists. Students who complete the construction strand also have opportunities for industry recognized certifications like OSHA 10.
Digital Media Pathway - Students in the Digital Media Pathway focus on creating, producing, and operating digital production used to communicate to various audiences. As skills progress, students assume more responsibility in producing media for the schools that use multimedia to broadcast information, such as upcoming events, school highlights and other messages to students. Communications specialists, reporters and correspondents gather information and prepare media that informs audiences about current issues and local, state, national and international events.
FACS - The Family, Community and Consumer Services pathway focuses on careers relating to meeting the essential needs of people, especially occupations which focus on relationships between and among family members including family counseling, marriage therapy, non-profit management and others related to helping others. Employees with careers in family, community and consumer services help the homeless, housebound, and infirm cope with circumstances of daily living; counsel troubled and emotionally disturbed individuals; train or retrain the unemployed or underemployed; care for the elderly and the physically and mentally disabled; help the needy obtain financial assistance; and solicit contributions for various social services organizations. This pathway is unique in that the entire human condition is reviewed. This is based on the philosophy that no one topic is stand alone, but rather needs to be studied together just as people interact with society on a daily basis and function in the world. A strong tie to service leadership is part of this pathway which enhances empathy and caring, two traits important to this area.
Government and Public Administration - The Government and Public Administration pathway included training for potential elected or appointed government officials, or those responsible for making and executing public policy. This pathway would include training for any number of elected officials from city council to the President of the United States. It would also include the staff members who support those elected officials in carrying out their official duties. Careers in this pathway often require working with constituents of interests groups with conflicting goals. Leadership, consensus building and conflict resolution are important skills int his area.
Graphic Design - Visual artists create art to communicate ideas, thoughts or feelings. They use a variety of methods and an assortment of materials. Their works may be realistic, stylized or abstract and may depict objects, people, nature or events. Illustrators and graphic designers use their artistic skills to serve commercial clients, such as major corporations, retail stores, and advertising, design and publishing firms.The Family
Health Science - Health science education prepares students for an introduction successful careers and informed choices in the health care industry through collaboration among education, the healthcare industry, policy makers and professional organizations. This pathway is centered around technical skills and academic classes that lead to occupations commonly found in hospitals, clinics, dentistry, pharmacy, EMT, patient care, sports medicine, physical/occupational therapy and forensics.
Manufacturing - The Manufacturing pathway prepares learners for careers in planning, managing and performing the process of materials into intermediate or final products. People with careers in manufacturing production work on the shop floor making parts or assembling them. They work with machines, making or assembling electronic parts, constructing or assembling modular housing, performing welding jobs, or printing various materials.
Programming - This pathway aims to build linkages to Information Technology occupations for entry level, technical, and professional careers related to the design, development, software, and systems integration services. Careers in Programming and Software Development involve the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of computer systems and software, requiring knowledge of computer operating systems, programming languages and software development. People with expertise in programming and software development work with cutting-edge technologies to develop tomorrow's products for use by businesses and consumers. The Programming and Software Development pathway responds to community needs and Kansas' IT needs and prepares students to enter the workforce and to participate as leaders, innovators, and managers in a global economy.