DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDUCATION ACTIVITY

HEADQUARTERS
4800 MARK CENTER DRIVE
ALEXANDRIA, VA 22350-1400 OCT 0S2017
SY17-18-30

MEMORANDUM FOR DODEA DIRECTORS FOR STUDENT EXCELLENCE

DODEA DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENTS
DODEA COMMUNITY SUPERINTENDENTS
DODEA DISTRICT CTE ISSs
DODEA DISTRICT SCHOOL COUNSELORS
DODEA SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS
DODEASECONDARYSCHOOLCOUNSELORS
DODEA SECONDARY CTE INSTRUCTORS

SUBJECT: DoDEA Career Cluster and Career Pathway Model

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Career and Technical

Education (CTE) high school program is compri~ecJ of Career Clusters. Each Career Cluster
outlines a pathway of courses which ensures that students successfully transition into
postsecondary opportunities in a college- and career-ready manner. This year, DoDEA solicited
the assistance of Advance CTE to reframe DoDEA's Career Cluster and Career Pathway Model.
The new model and course selections have been cross-walked with the College and Career
Ready Standards for CTE and allow students to participate in a concentrated plan of study. The
new DoDEA Career Cluster and Career Pathway Model is based on extensive field research to
include employment data, student enrollment, teacher certification, course and content
duplication, facility and equipment capabilities, and student interests.

The attached DoDEA CTE Career Clusters and Career Pathways document will serve as
a guide for administrators, school counselors, CTE teachers, students and parents. Each pathway
contains a prescriptive set of courses. Students currently enrolled in CTE courses will only be
required to complete three (3) Carnegie credits to be considered a completer and earn a CTE
endorsement on their high school transcript; this is applicable to students who are enrolled in the
previous Career Cluster and Career Pathway Model. Career Practicum will continue to serve as
an integral component of the CTE program. Students should be encouraged to complete at least
one CTE course before enrolling in Career Practicum. Each high school should offer at least two
complete Career Pathways.

DoDEA will follow the transition plan outlined below to implement the revised Career
Cluster/Career Pathway Model.

School Year 2017-2018:

• Analyze current course offerings provided by DoDEA and build a plan for full
implementation in school year 2020-2021.
o Identify courses that need to be phased out
o Identify changes needed to staffing
o Identify teachers that may need additional professional learning support
o Identify equipment needs based on pathway plan
 • Pathways implemented: National Security, Therapeutic Services-Patient Care,
Culinary Arts & Video Communications

School Year 2018-2019:

• Identify pathways' industry and postsecondary partnerships
• Pathway implemented: Business Management & Administration

School Year 2019-2020:

• Full Implementation of revised Career Practicum course
• Phase out all non-pathway supported courses
• Pathways implemented: Engineering & Technology, Cybersecurity, Programming,
Teaching as a Profession, Digital Design and Communication

Administrators should work closely with their district CTE instructional systems
specialist (ISS) to determine viable pathways for each school based on local needs and interests.
Hardships as a result of the new pathway structure will be reviewed on an individual basis. The
process of being college and career ready is continuous, and students should be encouraged to
continue the pursuit of academic knowledge and training beyond secondary instruction.

Please direct any questions or concerns to Ms. Daphnne L. Bonaparte, Headquarters CTE
ISS. She can be reached via e-mail at daphnne.bonaparte@hq.dodea.edu or by telephone DSN
(312) 372-0579 I (571) 372-0579.

,L/./u
Dr. Linda L. Curtis
Principal Deputy Director and
Associate Director for Academics

Attachment:
As stated

cc:
President, ACEA
President, FEA
President, FEA-SR
President, OFT