PROGRAM APPROVAL

Introduction
Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs offered in Utah's public education system must meet state program standards and be approved by the Utah State Board of Education. State CTE program funds may be used only for approved CTE programs.

Program Standards & Evaluation Criteria
The Utah State Office of Education, in conjunction with school district CTE directors, has developed program standards and program evaluation criteria for CTE programs in secondary schools. These standards are available for a number of uses aimed at developing or improving secondary CTE programs. CTE educators and program staff should use these standards for self-evaluation, goal setting, continuous improvement, and long-range planning. Standards will also be useful to state program specialists in monitoring, evaluating, and providing technical assistance.

The Utah Career and Technical Education Program Approval Standards can be found at each program area Web site. Please refer to the appropriate link below to access these standards and evaluation criteria.

Please note that these questionnaires are used with the scheduled onsite review of your school and do not need to be completed until that is scheduled. You will receive notification prior to your onsite review. However, the information may be helpful at any time you want to determine the criteria for effective programs.

Annual Report Procedures
Please access the following link to view or complete the Annual Program Evaluation Report. CTE program supervisors and/or instructors at each school will complete the Annual CTE Program Evaluation Report by department indicating whether the general CTE standards are met for a CTE program. This can be accomplished through the online checklist, using as a basis, the established Program Standards and Evaluation Criteria. The information entered into the report is compiled electronically at the Utah State Office of Education. Summary results will be made available to state program specialists and district CTE directors. It is not used to evaluate instructors, program supervisors, or district CTE directors, but merely to provide feedback for state program specialists to focus future technical assistance and training. The primary purposes of this report are to

1. provide general information to the state program specialist regarding statewide inservice needs, and
2. identify technical assistance needs at districts and schools.

The Annual Program Evaluation Report is required for CTE program approval and is due by October 15th of each school year.

Onsite Review Procedures
Onsite program evaluations will be conducted on a six-year rotation schedule. Evaluation teams coordinated by state CTE program specialists will use the Utah Career and Technical Education Program Approval Standards to assess the quality of CTE programs. Program supervisors and instructors at the school will complete a self-study of the programs and then meet with evaluation team members to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the programs. Based on this review, evaluation team members will document observations, commendations, and areas needing improvement. State CTE program specialists will follow-up with district and school staff regarding areas needing improvement. Please refer to the appropriate link above to access these program standards.

FY 12 Program Approval Schedule - Word | PDF

Educator Licensing
CTE instructors must hold approved educator licenses and endorsements for courses they are teaching. These credentials, along with the current teaching assignments, must be entered into the state’s CACTUS system prior to November 15th each year, or if hired after November 15th, as soon as possible. District CTE directors can use various CACTUS reports to monitor teacher qualifications in the each CTE areas.

Membership Reporting and Auditing
At the end of each school year (June 30th), districts report CTE teachers, courses, and membership to the state through the Program Approval for Technology Instruction (PATI) reporting system. This system verifies teacher credentials and assignments with CACTUS. PATI data are reviewed and signed off by state specialists prior to the generation of audit samples for each district. CTE directors have an opportunity to discuss teacher, course, or membership approval issues with state specialists during this phase of the review.

District membership audits are conducted to determine accuracy of reported data. These audits are conducted between September and March each year. Final audited results are used to determine CTE add-on funding and CTE maintenance-of-effort requirements for districts.

For more information on district CTE membership audits, contact emily [dot] eyre [at] schools [dot] utah [dot] gov (Emily Eyre), CACTUS Specialist and CTE Auditor, School Finance and Statistics.

Updated November 28, 2011