Resources, Tools & Examples: High-quality CTE in a COVID-19-impacted School Year

The following resources, tools and examples are excerpted from ACTE’s High-quality CTE: Planning for a COVID-19-impacted School Year, a guide published in June 2020 for helping CTE stakeholders identify the key considerations, guiding questions and emerging best practices that should shape 2020-21 planning. Click the links below for resources, tools and examples organized around the elements of the ACTE Quality CTE Program of Study FrameworkTM.

These listings will be updated as new resources, tools and examples become available. More discipline-specific content can be found on ACTE’s Distance Learning Resources page.

System Supports

System Supports: Resources, Tools & Examples

The CDC has published reopening guidelines, disinfecting protocols and considerations for K– 12 schools and higher education institutions. In July, the CDC released additional guidance titled “The Importance of Reopening America’s Schools This Fall.”
Advance CTE has released a brief on COVID19’s impact on CTE and the coming school year and a more detailed guide for state leaders to help them prepare a plan for delivering CTE that will support all learners.
ExcelinEd has developed a detailed breakdown of different scheduling, grouping and calendar options for 2020–21, and shared results from a state leader survey on reopening.
This webcast from EdSource takes a deep dive into three school districts identified by the Center on Reinventing Public Education as having success in their transition to remote learning.
This article from Education Dive discusses the challenges of socially distanced educational spaces. Education Week has produced several articles and resources on adapting educational facilities to social distancing, including a measurement guide and other articles. This Spaces4Learning article also describes how to rethink school spaces in light of social distancing.
Inside Higher Ed has published a number of articles on reopening, including 15 scenarios for 2020–21 planning and others found in this compilation.
This article from the Hechinger Report discusses the potential for growing community college enrollments as this year’s graduates delay attending four-year universities.
This COVID-19 Crisis Communications Triage Kit includes tips for leaders in education and other sectors.
To help you connect with other CTE administrators considering these issues, ACTE has an active Administration Division.

Access & Equity

Equity and Access: Resources, Tools & Examples

Fourteen education and civil rights organizations have put together these recommendations for crafting a COVID-19 response that equitably serves the most vulnerable learners.
NAPE‘s “Let’s Talk” series of archived webinars addresses equity gaps exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The American Youth Policy Forum has compiled collections of resources for serving disadvantaged populations, such as youth in foster care and justice-involved youth.
This resource introduces the Multi-tiered System of Support.
The Key, an Inside Higher Ed podcast, explores the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on education and career plans of Black Americans and Latino Americans.
This NCLA podcast discusses access and opportunity for underserved learners in urban areas during the pandemic.
CAST has a number of resources for UDL and accessibility, including the Universal Design for Learning guidelines, the National Center on Accessible Educational Materials, questions to ask before selecting educational materials and tips for developing learning goals.
UDL on Campus discusses the legal obligations of postsecondary institutions with respect to the accessibility of digital learning materials and related guidance.
ExploreAccess.org has published a toolkit for designing an accessible course online.
This summary includes specific questions educators can ask about technology accessibility.
Michigan Virtual University’s Supporting Students with Disabilities in K–12 Online and Blended Learning guide includes detailed considerations by disability type.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Described and Captioned Media Program provides media designed for students with disabilities, including CTE content.
This article describes audiological considerations when wearing masks.
ACTE, Penn State University’s Workforce Education program and the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition hosted a five-part webinar series on CTE and special education in 2019.
This resource from the U.S. Department of Education has tips and resources for cyber safety and digital citizenship.

Standards-aligned & Integrated Curriculum

Standards-aligned and Integrated Curriculum: Resources, Tools & Examples

This resource from the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching includes guiding questions and a template for the recovery of standards and content in the new school year.
This Education Week blog post addresses prioritizing standards. While it’s written from the perspective of core academics, the principles and process can be applied to CTE.
The BlendKit Course is a set of subject-matter-neutral, open educational resources related to blended learning and available for self-study or for group use.
The Blended Learning Universe contains information on different models of structuring blended learning and blog posts about blended learning implementation.
The Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching Blended and Online Learning Guide presents research on the learning possibilities offered through online and blended learning, as well as effective practices for facilitating online courses.
This blog post from Oregon State University describes using mix maps for blended learning.
The Online Learning Consortium has a number of resources for online and blended learning, including a course design review scorecard and a quality scorecard for blended learning programs.
This Quality Review Checklist and Rubric, which identifies 12 key indicators for assessing the quality of digital learning resources, was developed by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the Friday Institute at NC State University.
On the state level, Idaho Digital Learning Academy’s CTE Digital courses are described in this profile from Advance CTE, while CTE Online is a free, California-based resource with thousands of lesson plans aligned to CTE, Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards.
To teach safety, online OSHA safety training and conducting a job hazard analysis can be integrated into a remote curriculum.
ACTE’s Distance Learning Resources webpage includes a variety of curriculum resources that CTE educators turned to in the spring while making the switch to remote learning.

Sequencing & Articulation

Sequencing and Articulation: Resources, Tools & Examples

The NACEP Accreditation Commission has released a Statement on COVID-19 and NACEP Accreditation and compiled state-by-state guidance. In August, NACEP released a guide on planning for a disrupted school year. NACEP also offers program quality standards that define characteristics of a quality early postsecondary program in the areas of partnership, faculty, assessment, curriculum, students and evaluation.
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has released temporary policy, frequently asked questions and procedures for notifying HLC of changes.
The College in High School Alliance has compiled guidance from a number of sources.
The American Council on Education released a Statement of Principles on Acceptance of Credit this spring.
The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers has released guidance on evaluating transfer credit from COVID-19-impacted terms.

Student Assessment

Student Assessment: Resources, Tools & Examples

The University of Central Florida’s (UCF) Teaching Online Pedagogical Repository describes pedagogical practices in online assessment such as discussion board rubrics. UCF also offers the BlendKit Course of subject-matter-neutral, open educational resources related to blended learning and available for self-study or for group use.
The Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching Blended and Online Learning Guide includes online pedagogical practices in assessment.
Edutopia has published recent articles with tips on formative assessment and summative assessment in distance learning.
This review of research on simulation-based assessment in health education finds that simulation-based assessment is best when multiple simulations are used and when simulation is used in combination with other assessment types.
Certifiers including NOCTI, the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council, CompTIA, Certiport and NCCER, among many others, implemented remote proctoring and other testing flexibilities this spring. The Association of Test Publishers and the National College Testing Association have provided guidance on remote testing, and Florida allowed at-home testing for industry certification exams.
This blog post from Advance CTE describes COVID-impacted considerations for industry credentials.

Prepared & Effective Program Staff

Prepared and Effective Program Staff: Resources, Tools & Examples

CTE Learn, ACTE’s professional development platform with MaxKnowledge, offers courses on online teaching.
ACTE’s Virtual Conference Planning Guide includes detailed tips and procedures for hosting virtual professional development conferences.
ACTE is producing a series of webinars on offering high-quality CTE programs in socially distanced, remote and blended environments.
Jumpstart to Successful Instruction is an open course designed specifically for CTE educators who are transitioning from the workplace to teaching, with useful insights for CTE educators designing courses and thinking about equity.
The Tennessee Department of Education (along with many other states) is hosting its summer CTE Institute virtually.
Louisiana has provided virtual externships to teachers through Nepris, as described in this brief by Advance CTE.

Engaging Instruction

Engaging Instruction: Resources, Tools & Examples

The Distance Learning Adaptation Document from the California Department of Education is a template to support teachers in the design and adaptation of weekly lessons for distance learning implementation.
The University of Central Florida’s (UCF) Teaching Online Pedagogical Repository describes pedagogical practice related to course content, interaction and assessment. UCF also offers the BlendKit Course of subject-matter-neutral, open educational resources related to blended learning and available for self-study or for group use.
The Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching Blended and Online Learning Guide includes online pedagogical practices.
Griffith Institute for Higher Education in Australia has produced a Getting Started with Blending Learning Guide for instructors.
The Community of Inquiry Framework is a social constructivist model of learning processes in online and blended environments.
The Student Opportunity Center has produced webinars on experiential learning in the online classroom (see recording and resources) and experiential learning in the HyFlex classroom (see recording and resources).
The VOCAL (Visible, Organized, Compassionate, Analytical and Leader-by-example) approach for effective online teaching is described in this journal article.
This Edutopia blog post describes one instructor’s plans for bringing distance learning strategies back to the classroom, while this Inside Higher Ed article discusses the challenges and potential solutions for active learning in a socially distanced classroom.
For tips on improving videos and presentations, check out this article from IDEAedu.org and resources from The Goodman Center that can be adapted to online teaching.
The Gamification Guide is a free resource on game-based learning in the classroom.
This resource from the U.S. Department of Education has tips and resources for cyber safety and digital citizenship.
Educators can search several databases of ed tech tools across academic and CTE discipline areas, including a list of free tools curated by ISTE and EdSurge; TechforLearners.org from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Software & Information Industry Association; Amazing Educational Resources, a crowdsourced listing of tools; and Educating All Learners‘ list of ed tech tools for meeting special education needs.

Facilities, Equipment, Technology & Materials

Facilities, Equipment, Technology and Materials: Resources, Tools & Examples

Relevant CDC guidance includes the agency’s detailed reopening guide, released in May, with a section for schools and day camps, as well as cleaning and disinfecting recommendations. In late July, the EPA announced 13 products that have completed laboratory testing for use specifically against the virus that causes COVID-19.
Education Week has produced several articles and resources on adapting educational facilities to social distancing, including a measurement guide and other articles. This Spaces4Learning article also describes how to rethink school spaces in light of social distancing.
This report from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health addresses risk reduction strategies for reopening campuses, including the impact of air ventilation and filtration.
Green Schoolyards America has tools and tips for configuring outdoor learning.
Case studies about mobile labs/equipment, simulators and interactive video can be found in Promising Practices and Design Principles in Career and Technical Education Delivered via Distance Learning Technology, Simulated Work-Based Learning: Instructional Approaches and Noteworthy Practices and Advance CTE’s CTE on the Frontier series and CTE Distance Learning in Rural Communities brief.
The International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) has developed the INACSL Standards of Best Practice: Simulation. This blog post from Advance CTE also discusses nursing simulations. In spring 2020, Oregon provided guidance on virtual options for clinical experiences.
This report from technology provider zSpace describes benefits from 3D, virtual reality and related learning environments.
Online OSHA safety training can support safety in and out of the classroom and laboratory.

Business & Community Partnerships

Business and Community Partnerships: Resources, Tools & Examples

Vivayic has produced a Guide for Planning and Hosting an Effective Virtual Meeting/Training Event with succinct tips on technology, engagement and pre- and post-meeting activities.
The Goodman Center has resources and webinars on effective online presentations, webinars and meetings.
This article from the Center on Reinventing Public Education describes COVID-19 innovations in industry partnerships and engagement.

Student Career Development

Student Career Development: Resources, Tools & Examples

A variety of online career exploration and planning platforms exist that can be harnessed for remote and socially distanced learning, including Xello, Kuder, Naviance and others.
If your state does not have an online career information and planning system, learners can access O*NET for information on industry sectors, labor market trends, job duties and pay; or CareerOneStop for career exploration and planning resources.
Nepris is a virtual platform that connects classrooms with industry professionals that has been used by education systems in Washington, D.C.; Texas; Kansas City; Orange County; and Louisiana.
ConnectEd has a library of “Day at Work” videos across occupations.
Local examples of virtual career exploration include Mahoning County Educational Service Center’s weeklong Virtual Exploration Tour 2020; Washington’s CareerConnect program, which transitioned to CareerConnect@Home this spring; and Transition Tennessee, which hosted virtual transition fairs in spring 2020.
The National Technical Assistance Center on Transition has compiled transition resources for the 2020-21 school year. Explore-work.com features web-based modules for students that align with the five required WIOA Pre-Employment Transition Services, and T-Folio is a free virtual transition portfolio.
ACTE has an active division for Counseling and Career Development.

CTSOs

Career and Technical Student Organizations: Resources, Tools & Examples

Iowa HOSA hosted a virtual conference in March with only a few days’ notice. The advisers discuss how they hosted it and lessons learned on this webinar recording.
SC HOSA hosted a virtual conference this spring. The conference website includes recordings and more information that other CTE advisers can use as inspiration.
FCCLA hosted a virtual national conference this summer. The conference website includes a student workbook, justification letter and other tools that can serve as examples. In addition, FCCLA has created a virtual chapter toolkit.
DECA has been hosting a virtual business challenge for several years, and this spring held an online executive mentor roundtable.
SkillsUSA developed the following resources to support virtual local officer elections: guide, logistics, rubric for speeches, rubric for interviews 1, rubric for interviews 2 and online voting systems.
This webinar from SkillsUSA TN describes a virtual interview contest and virtual meet the employer event (password: 6u?g0^=X).
This webinar from SkillsUSA OK describes a virtual awards ceremony and celebration event (password: 7p$.*0.8)
ACTE’s Virtual Conference Planning Guide includes detailed tips and procedures for hosting virtual conferences.
This spring CTSOs moved planned fundraisers online, like the Monticello High School FFA Plant Sale, which enabled customers to order plants online and sign up for pick-up time slots.

Work-based Learning

Work-based Learning: Resources, Tools & Examples

Advance CTE’s CTE on the Frontier series includes profiles of West Virginia Simulated Workplaces and SBEs offered through the Connecticut Technical High School System.
The Direct Employers Institute Workplace Simulation Program enables underrepresented and underexposed students to apply classroom learning to a real STEM problem during school hours and under the guidance of STEM professionals.
Simulated Work-Based Learning: Instructional Approaches and Noteworthy Practices includes case studies of Simulated Workplaces, SBEs and industry-driven projects.
Stony Brook University has created a Center for Remote Internships and Experiential Learning that curates resources and support for employers offering remote internships and other forms of experiential learning.
Nepris is a virtual platform that connects classrooms with industry professionals that has been used by education systems in Texas, Kansas City, Orange County and Louisiana. The District of Columbia has partnered with Nepris for DC Career Conversations. In 2020 the district’s Summer Youth Employment Program will include virtual internships and Career Edge curriculum, with some hybrid activities for ages 22-24.
Practera, Symba and Parker Dewey are platforms for connecting college students and employers for remote internships. Practera recently made its service available for free to colleges until August 2021. Transfr VR provides XR-based manufacturing training for specific employer skill needs.
INSPIRE Sheboygan County, a nonprofit education-industry collaborative in Wisconsin, pivoted to offering virtual job shadows in spring 2020.
This blog post from JFF encourages programs to sustain apprenticeship. During spring 2020, some states modified apprenticeship and youth apprenticeship requirements, as in Wisconsin.
ACTE has an active Work-based Learning Division that recently co-hosted a virtual conference on WBL with Iowa.

Data & Program Improvement

Data and Program Improvement: Resources, Tools & Examples

CoSN has produced a flowchart for vetting online tools for data privacy considerations.
The Association of Test Publishers has provided guidance on data privacy and security in remote testing.
The U.S. Department of Education has produced guidance on FERPA and coronavirus, FERPA and virtual learning resources and, with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Joint Guidance on the Application of FERPA and HIPAA to Student Health Records.
The Future of Privacy Forum has developed a number of tools for understanding education data privacy and security, including How FERPA and HIPAA Apply to Student Records During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Educator’s Guide to Student Privacy, Online Learning Best Practices for Schools and Educators and COVID-19 Privacy and Data Protection Resources.