The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) this month announced the state Board of Education has approved requirements for a new career and technical education (CTE) certificate students can earn in addition to a high school diploma.
"Students earning this certificate can show Missouri employers they are prepared for the workplace," Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven said in a news release.
"I think it's a great thing. We've always operated at the career center with the same mindset," Nichols Career Center's Director Sharon Logan said of the new certificate.
Logan explained each of Nichols's programs already give students the opportunity to earn an industry-recognized credential - like a CNA degree in healthcare or an AWS certificate in welding - in addition to their high school diploma, to demonstrate "specific skills were taught, (and) specific skills were mastered."
She still commends the state's certificate though, because "The fact that the state is putting their stamp on it means that employers will recognize it more."
According to DESE's news release, students entering high school this year or thereafter will be eligible to earn a CTE certificate by meeting the following criteria:
- Meet all graduation requirements;
- Qualify as a CTE concentrator;
- Maintain a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) in the CTE area of concentration;
- Pass an approved technical skills assessment and/or earn an approved industry-recognized credential or certificate;
- Complete at least 50 hours of work-based learning aligned with the CTE area of concentration;
- Maintain at least a 95 percent attendance record overall during their entire high school career;
- Demonstrate soft skills or business skills; and
- Achieve a score at or above the state standard on any DESE-approved measure of college and career readiness.
The news release also said schools can assist students by helping them develop a personal plan of study. "The schools would monitor the plan of study to ensure student success."