Career and Technical

Career and technical education gives students the opportunity to explore and focus on the knowledge and skills and experiences needed to a successful career. Research shows that 18 of the country's fastest-growing occupations require the skills taught in career and technical education. The curriculum within each high school offers a variety of courses which give students the opportunity to develop skills in the following clusters: Arts/Communication, Business/Marketing, Health Care, Hospitality/Tourism, Human Services, Manufacturing/Construction/Transportation, and Sciences/Technology. For additional information regarding the specific courses offered at each high school, contact the coordinator for career and technical education or the high school counseling center. During a student's high school career he/she may also qualify to participate in work-based learning. Upon graduation a student may enter the work force or continue further study and training in a career cluster at a post-secondary institution.

In 1993 a state high school policy went into effect for all Tennessee students. This policy challenges all students to prepare for post secondary study by completing a core curriculum and a choice of either a technical path, university path or both. The technical path requires students to develop a program of studies which focuses on a particular career and technical area. The university path requires foreign language and fine arts. Williamson County Schools offers and encourages high schools students to complete a dual path, referred to as Tech Prep,  which includes courses that meet the requirements for entrance into a college or university and also allows students the opportunity to choose a technical focus and acquire skills to give them a competitive edge once they enter the job market. To assist students with their career exploration all eighth graders are given a career interest and aptitude assessment.

All middle school students spend one grading period in Family and Consumer Science and one grading period in Technology Education.   Family and Consumer Science provides an opportunity for students to explore family and consumer science subject areas which are taught more in depth at the high school level. The goal of Family and Consumer Science is to enable students to acquire knowledge and skills needed to develop a positive attitude toward self and to function effectively as consumers, resource managers, family and peer group members and to cope with the pressures in their environment.  Technology Education is designed to provide information and experiences concerning potential careers within the broad field of technology and training.

Jackie Baggett
Career and Technical Education Coordinator
Williamson County Board of Education
1320 West Main Street, Suite 202
Franklin, Tennessee 37064
Phone: (615)595-4762
Fax: (615)790-5588
E-mail: jackieb1@wcs.edu

Articulation
Work-Based Learning and Cooperative Education
Student Assessment Services
Student Organizations
Career and Technical Education Advisory Council