CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Business/Technology  |  Info Tech/Infrastructure  |  Marketing  |  Communications

Recommended CTE Clusters Sequences
 

 

Business/Technology Cluster

Keyboarding/Document Layout Design

Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12

Credit: 1 –Full Year

This course is recommended for any student who does not have minimum proficiency in keyboarding.  In this course, students will be required to learn and use the touch method of keyboarding.  Speed and accuracy building, together   with developing proofreading skills, will be emphasized.  To ensure optimum learning, the first part of the course will be individualized to each student’s needs.  Students will learn to prepare letters, memos, reports, and tables.  This knowledge will be used throughout their high school, college and future careers.  Self-motivation and a desire to develop a life-long skill will lead to successful completion of this course.


Computer Applications

Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12

Credit: 1 - Full Year

Prerequisite:  Keyboarding Skill

If there is one course that all students should be required to take during high school, this is the course.  Many former students who are now in college have commented that this was the most valuable course they took in high school.

Computer Applications is designed to develop word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software knowledge and skills using Microsoft OfficeTM.  Although most students have used these software packages in middle school, the majority of students are not proficient nor have they been exposed to most of the available features.

This course is recommended as a prerequisite to Spreadsheet Applications and Interactive Multimedia. 


Spreadsheet Applications

Grade Level: 10, 11, 12

Credit:  ½ - One Semester

Prerequisite:  Keyboarding Skill

Suggested Prerequisite:  Computer Applications

Spreadsheets are used extensively in the business, academic, and scientific communities today, and knowledge of spreadsheets is essential for a student’s future success.  It is highly recommended that students who plan to attend college and major in business take this course.  In this course, students will design spreadsheets, create formulas, use specialized Excel functions, analyze, chart and manage data.  Spreadsheet applications for personal, academic, and business use will be provided throughout the course.  


Interactive Multimedia Design

Grade Level: 10, 11, 12

Credit:  1 – Full Year

Prerequisite:  Keyboarding Skill

Suggested Prerequisite:  Computer Applications

In this course, students will design, write, and produce multimedia projects using Windows MovieMakerTM, PowerPoint, Roxio Media Creator, and Microsoft Producer. In addition to using those software packages to create multimedia projects, students will learn how to use the premier, universally-recognized photo editing software, Adobe Photoshop 7.0TM and Image Ready.  Creation of graphics for web-pages and learning to design web pages will also be taught.  (It is recommended that students who plan to take Web Site Design enroll in this class).

During the 2nd quarter, students will produce an original, entertaining, creative presentation to give as a gift to a friend, coach, teammate or family member.  During the 4th quarter, students will produce a variety of presentations of their choice.  Job and life skills, such as self-motivation and self-discipline, are developed and reinforced in this class.


Accounting I

Grade Level:  10-12

Credit: 1-Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite:  None

Students are introduced to concepts and principles based on a double-entry system of maintaining the financial records of a sole proprietorship and partnership.  It includes analyzing business transactions, journalizing, posting and preparing worksheets and financial statements.  This course is an academic elective and not for use as a technology credit. 


Information Technology/ Infrastructure Cluster

Networking

Grade Level: 11 – 12

Credit: 1 – Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: Information Technology Foundations and Computer OS/Hardware or pass assessment

This course will be available in two optional tracks.

  1. The first will prepare the students to become eligible to sit for the Network+ certification assessment. The focus would be on Microsoft certification.
  2. The second option is to prepare the students to become eligible to sit for the Cisco CCNA certification.

Both will use the following foundational skills.

  • Comprehensive coverage of fundamental networking technologies, with a focus on major operating systems including Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Linux, and Novell NetWare 6.5.
  • Updated to include a new chapter covering the basics of Network Security, as well as, a new chapter on Small Business Networks addressing the needs and concerns of small business.
  • Features extensive learning tools, including Review Questions, Hands-On Projects, and Case Projects, which allow students to practice skills as they are learned.
  • Includes a CD-ROM with detailed, graphical simulations of common networking processes, such as switch operation, layers of the networking process, network address translation, Ethernet operation and more so that you can read about these processes and see them in action.

 Students that complete this course are also eligible for college credit.


Information Technology Foundations

Grade Level: 9-10

Credit: 1-Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: Keyboarding

This course is designed to introduce students to the Information Technology Industry.  Students will start with an introduction to basic computer concepts such as what a computer is, how it works, and what makes it a powerful tool.  The student will look at the history and structure of the Internet. The World Wide Web will be discussed, including browsers, navigating, searching, and e-commerce. They will also be introduced to other services available on the Internet, such as e-mail, FTP, newsgroups and message boards, chat rooms, and instant messaging. They will learn rules of netiquette and discuss Web publishing.  The students will see how to start and use application software, and then be presented an overview of a variety of business software, graphics and multimedia software, home/personal/educational software, and communications software.  Students will see and learn about the components of the system unit, described how memory stores data, instructions, and information, and discussed the sequence of operations that occur when a computer executes an instruction. There will also be a comparison of various personal computer processors on the market today.  The class will look at various ways in which computers receive data or instructions through various input devices as well as how the data or information is presented for output devices.  They will look at various communication methods, such as data transfer over phone lines using modems, or across different types of cabling using networks.  Finally they will look at computers and software in the enterprise.

Students that complete this course are also eligible for college credit.


Computer Operating Systems and Hardware

Grade Level: 10-12

Credit: 1-Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: Information Technology Infrastructure or pass basic computer assessment and Algebra I (or co-requisite)

This course seeks to prepare students for the A+ Certification, a nationally recognized professional certification. Students will focus both on the internal workings of personal computers and the workings of Microsoft’s Windows Operating Systems and other stand-alone or network operating systems. Students will also learn to upgrade, repair, and maintain computer systems.

Students that complete this course are also eligible for college credit. Students also have the opportunity to complete a class project including: designing and building computer systems. 


Cabling Technology

Grade Level: 11 – 12

Credit: 1 – Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: Networking

This course is the second two semesters of four that provide students with an advanced foundation in networking.  Students who successfully complete the four semesters are eligible to earn Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification.  The program combines instructor-led and on-line learning with hands on laboratory exercises in which students apply what they learn in class while working on actual networks.

Students that complete this course are also eligible for college credit.  


Web Page I

Grade Level: 10, 11, 12

Credit: 1 – Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: Keyboarding/Document Formatting, Computer Applications or Information Technology Foundations, Algebra I or Technical Algebra

Class Features

  • Prepares students to code Web pages from scratch using a simple text editor with comprehensive, easy-to-follow instruction.
  • Teaches students how to create well-formed documents that are compliant with XHTML 1.0 standards.
  • Fosters students’ confidence with key skills through a clear lesson progression that introduces concepts such as inline styles in the beginning, and then expands on them in subsequent tutorials.
  • Covers Web accessibility and Section 508 guidelines.
  • Enhances student learning providing an online area with additional resources for exploration.

Future enhancements to provide the opportunity to mesh with CIW’s foundation course


Marketing Cluster

Marketing and Management I

Grade Level: 10-12

Credit: 1 – Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: None

Principles focus on the study of marketing concepts and their practical application.  Students will examine risks and challenges marketers face to establish a competitive edge.  The marketing curriculum includes economics, marketing foundations/functions, and human resource leadership development.  The program is two-fold: classroom instruction and membership in DECA—the marketing youth organization ($15.00 membership). Any students planning to co-op during their senior year must take this their junior year.


Marketing and Management II

Grade Level: 11-12

Credit: 1-Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: Marketing and Management I

Marketing and management emphasizes concepts and management functions performed by professionals.  Students will examine challenges, responsibilities, and risks managers face in today’s workplace.  This course emphasizes the development of decision-making skills so that students understand the impact of management-oriented challenges.  Subject matter includes finance, entrepreneurship, risk management, marketing information systems, purchasing, human resource skills, and leadership development.  Communication, interpersonal and mathematics skills are reinforced in this course.  Beginning with the class 0f 2005, seniors planning to co-op must be registered in this class.


Marketing Work I and Marketing Work II

Grade Level: 12

Credit: ½-2, One Semester or Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: Must be enrolled in marketing class

Students work part-time, receive on-the-job instruction and obtain school credit.  Enrollment for the work experience is based on the following qualifications: (1) enrolled in the Marketing II class during the senior year, (2) attend a Coop orientation before or after school during the second semester of the junior year, (3) passing all classes,  (4) employable—must have a job related to Marketing by the beginning of the course.  Students work a minimum of 10 hours per week (180 hours per semester) if released from school one period.  A student must work a minimum of 20 hours per week (360 hours per semester) if released from school 2 periods. 

Beginning with the Class of 2005, students must be enrolled in Marketing II to participate in this course.


Entrepreneurship

Grade Level -12

Credit – 1 – One Full Year

Prerequisite:  Marketing I

The Entrepreneurship course will provide the high school student with the opportunity to analyze and evaluate the various aspects of business ownership in today’s marketplace. The student will also be involved in the actual process of developing a business plan and then determining its opportunities for success. Throughout this course the student will relate the foundations of marketing and business management to real-life entrepreneurial endeavors.  (Marketing 1 is a prerequisite for this course).


Communication Cluster

Media Concepts I

Grade Level: 9-10

Credit: 1-Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: None

This course is the entry-level course to prepare students for the media industry.  Course content provides a broad-based exposure to audio, video, and journalism and broadcasting within the industry.  Students are taught the fundamentals of remote wiring and studio wiring.  Equipment mastered includes: Cameras (video and digital), switchers, mixers, video recorders, mikes, editing (linear and non-linear), lighting, and computer displays for presentations.  Students are also taught channel programming for cable access Channel Nine.  All students complete a minimum of 20 hours per semester after-school work. 


Electronic Media Productions II

Grade Level: 10-11

Credit: 1-Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: Media Concepts

The first two semesters of four will focus on electronic media production (EMP) technologies utilizing simulated and/or real-life projects.  The student gains insight into such issues as concept creation, scripting, sound design, visual design, engineering, editing, budgeting, and producing, as well as exploring some of the latest advances in industry technology.  Students operate Channel Nine on a 24 hour/7 days a week basis.  Students are required to video programs for community viewing, sporting events, and special activities.  This class operates as a professional television station.  Students must complete a minimum of 30 hours after school per semester.  Advanced computer techniques are taught and used regarding television special effects.  This is a hands-on operational class.


Electronic Media Productions III

Grade Level: 10-11

Credit: 1-Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: Electronic Media Prod. II

This course will focus on electronic media production (EMP) technologies utilizing simulated and/or real-life projects.  The student gains insight into such issues as concept creation, scripting, sound design, visual design, engineering, editing, budgeting, and producing, as well as exploring some of the latest advances in industry technology.  Students operate Channel Nine on a 24 hour/7 days a week basis.  Students are required to video programs for community viewing, sporting events, and special activities.  This class operates as a professional television station.  Students must complete a minimum of 30 hours after school per semester.  Advanced computer techniques are taught and used regarding television special effects.  This is a hands-on operational class.  Three years of media will meet the computer requirement for graduation.


Electronic Media Management and Operations IV

Grade Level: 11-12

Credit: 1-Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: Electronic Media Production II

This course focuses on simulated real-life electronic broadcasting media of newscasts, special events, and original programming.  The student will gain valuable insight into both audio and video sides of the electronic media industry.  Course content is composed of scripting, broadcasting, reporting, directing, editing, budgeting, producing, cameras, lights, sound, and set design.  This course will explore the latest digital technology and applications, research, and future trends in the electronic media industry.  Pre-production and post-production work  is emphasized.  Video and audio creativity is emphasized, regarding the creation of final television products.  Directing techniques and computer effects are taught and used.  The student makes class visits and explores career opportunities in the field and in Universities.  Each student assembles a video and audio portfolio for submissions to Universities and Technical schools.


Electronic Media Co-op/Intern

Grade Level: 12

Credit: 1-Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: Signatures of the teacher in the related Communication class (Radio-Television Broadcasting) and the Work-Based Learning Coordinator

This work-based learning is designed to benefit students by providing them with opportunities to gain skills and knowledge of Radio-Television Broadcasting through an  on-the-job experience related to a Communication course in which they are enrolled.  Students are scheduled also as interns within the school day.  Employers, Communication teachers, and the work-based learning coordinator work together to design a training plan that will help the student be successful.  The evaluation from the employer becomes 20% of the student’s grade in the related Communication class.  Students must work at least 10 hours per week and must earn at least minimum wage.

 

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