CTE Programs & Initiatives
CanDo Project
CanDo is a Web-based data system that was developed by Arlington County Schools to track student performance on CTE competencies. The objective is to strengthen the validity and reliability of the Student Competency Record system so it can be used as a part of Perkins IV technical skills assessment.
High Schools That Work (HSTW)
High Schools That Work (HSTW) was created in 1987 by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) in partnership with a consortium of eleven states. High Schools That Work has been recognized as the nation's first large-scale initiative to emphasize a program of study that includes both academic courses and modern career and technical studies to prepare students for a broad career field and further education.
Project Lead the Way (PLTW)
Project Lead the Way is a not for profit organization that develops curriculum and training for school divisions. School divisions that participate in PLTW must sign a contract with the organization and send teachers to specialized training for the courses they will teach. Different pathways are offered for subjects. Virginia currently participates through the engineering program and the biomedical science programs.
Engineering Pathway
Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Engineering pathway offers a four-year sequence of courses which, when combined in high school with college-preparatory mathematics and science courses, introduces students to engineering and engineering technology. The courses are Introduction to Engineering Design (8439), and Principles of Engineering (8441). Specialty courses available to complete a sequence are Digital Electronics (8440), Computer-Integrated Manufacturing (8442), Aerospace Engineering(8428), Civil Engineering and Architecture (8430), and Engineering Design and Development (8443). Elementary and middle school programs are also offered.
Project Lead The Way Engineering sites in Virginia:
- All Saints Catholic School (1)
- Arlington County Public Schools (10)
- Bristol City Public Schools (1)
- Chesapeake Public Schools (1)
- Chesterfield County Public Schools (23)
- Clarke County Public Schools (2)
- Danville Public Schools (1)
- Denis J. O’Connell High School (1)
- Fairfax County Public Schools (2)
- Fluvanna County Public Schools (1)
- Gloucester County Public Schools (3)
- Hampton Public Schools (6)
- Henry County Public Schools (2)
- Hillsboro Charter Academy (1)
- King William County (1)
- Lynchburg Public Schools (1)
- Madison County Public Schools (1)
- Manassas Public Schools (2)
- Massanutten Military School (1)
- Middleburg Academy (2)
- Montgomery County Public Schools (2)
- Newport News Public Schools (3)
- Norfolk Public Schools (3)
- Northern Neck Technical Center (1)
- Prince William County Public Schools (12)
- Richmond Public Schools (1)
- Russell County Public Schools (1)
- Shenandoah County Public Schools (1)
- Smyth County Public Schools (4)
- Stafford County Public Schools (1)
- Staunton Public Schools (1)
- Suffolk Public Schools (2)
- Warren County Public Schools (3)
- Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools (1)
PLTW Engineering Resources
- School Locator
- Getting Started Guide for PLTW
- Online Registration Process
- Registration for Elementary Program
Biomedical Sciences Pathway
PLTW Biomedical Science students are taking on real-world challenges – and they’re doing it before they even graduate from high school. Working with the same tools used by professionals in hospitals and labs, students engage in compelling, hands-on activities and work together to find solutions to problems. PLTW Biomedical Science courses are part of the AP + PLTW biomedical science pathway.
Jobs for Virginia Graduates
The Virginia General Assembly continues to allocate funds to Jobs for Virginia Graduates (JVG) for programs in local school divisions using the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) national model. VDOE serves as fiscal agent for these programs. The primary mission of the JVG program is to assist high school students who are at risk of dropping out, or have other barriers to graduation and provide additional supports that enable these students to graduate, secure, and retain quality jobs.
- JVG Continuation Application for School Year 2020-2021-This is a Word document. – Revised March 23, 2020