Career & Technical Education (CTE)

CTE LogoThe purpose of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department is to recognize the needs of a diverse student population and to assist students in gaining skills to become competitive, independent, productive citizens in a global economy.

Students will be given opportunities to maximize their fullest potential through quality instruction linked to business and industry, career guidance, and active student leadership organizations.

CTE Vision

The vision of Sheldon ISD is to have a rigorous Career and Technical Education program that prepares and equips students with industry certifications based upon community needs and to provide students with skills to either begin high-skilled, high-wage earning careers or continue their post-secondary education.

CTE Offers Academic Courses and Programs that Provide:

  • Rigorous training in today’s most high-demand and high-growth career fields
  • Challenging curriculum integrated with core subjects, including English, math, and science
  • Hands-on activities based on real-world applications
  • Opportunities to complete graduation requirements and get a jumpstart on post-secondary goals


CTE Prepares Students to Achieve Post-Secondary Goals:

Earn College Credit
  • Articulated Credit
    Articulated credit allows students to earn college credit through a combination of college and technical courses that satisfy the advanced measures requirement under the Distinguished Level of Achievement (DLA) Program. Articulated credit provides an avenue for students to continue their education into a college certificate program or into an Associate of Applied Science degree at a community college. Talk to your counselor for additional information pertaining to articulated credit.
 
Gain Career and Workforce Readiness Skills and Knowledge
  • Understand basic expectations of the workplace
  • Learn technical skills and knowledge required in today’s careers through hands-on experiences
  • Job preparation
  • Earn industry certifications and licenses
  • Build a strong resume and interviewing skills

 

Programs of Study

A Program of Study (POS) is a sequence of CTE courses focused on one of the state's major industry sectors, or "career clusters." CTE Programs of Study offer students hands-on learning in their field of interest with the opportunity to earn industry certifications or dual credit hours that fulfill graduation requirements. In addition, they prepare students for post-secondary options such as employment, apprenticeships and college degrees.

What are Career Clusters?

Career clusters help to ensure that learners are provided with the knowledge and skills needed for multiple career choices by matching what is taught in the classroom to business, industry, and post-secondary and higher education expectations. The 14 Career Clusters identified by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) include:

  • Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
  • Architecture and Construction
  • Arts, A/V Technology and Communications
  • Business, Marketing and Finance
  • Education and Training
  • Energy
  • Health Science
  • Hospitality and Tourism
  • Human Services
  • Information Technology
  • Law and Public Safety
  • Manufacturing
  • Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
  • Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

 

How Do Students Earn an Endorsement Through a Career Pathway?

CTE DiagramUnder House Bill 5 (HB5) and the Foundation High School Program (FHSP), students must select at least one of the following endorsements:

  • Arts & Humanities
  • Business & Industry
  • Public Services
  • Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
  • Multidisciplinary Studies


To earn an endorsement, students must complete: 1) curriculum requirements for the FHSP, 2) an additional advanced math and advanced science credit, and 3) a program of study, which qualifies for the intended endorsement area.

Pathways Partner
Sheldon ISD is a proud member of the first cohort of the Texas Regional Pathways Network (TRPN). Launched in 2019, the TRPN supports Governor Abbott's Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative, through which the Texas Education Agency, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and Texas Workforce Commission are working collaboratively to increase economic prosperity in Texas by linking education and industry. The TRPN consists of ten regional partnerships working to build strong educational and career pathways that prepare Texans for careers in high-wage, in-demand industries. Sheldon ISD is a partner in the Gulf Coast Pipeline Project: Building Tomorrow's Workforce. The partnership includes K-12 education, postsecondary education, workforce and economic development, business and industry, government and nonprofit organizations.