In this episode of the Sage Studio podcast, host Tiffiny Webster is joined by two guests, Traci King, HS Principal, and Laura Glaviota, HS Assistant Principal, The topic of discussion is Sage Oak's Career Technical Education (CTE) programs. CTE stands for Career Technical Education and refers to a sequence of courses aligned with a student's interest and intended to prepare them for specific careers. Sage Oak offers three pathways: Child Development, Sports Medicine, and Arts, Media and Entertainment. Each pathway consists of courses that provide students with the necessary skills for their chosen career.

The inspiration behind implementing CTE programs at Sage Oak was the recognition of a clear disconnect between traditional education pathways and the practical skills that businesses expect from college graduates. Traci shares a statistic that only 11% of business leaders believed that college graduates were prepared to enter the workforce. To bridge this gap, Sage Oak introduced CTE programs to provide students with applicable skills that employers value.

The CTE programs at Sage Oak differ from those in traditional brick and mortar schools due to the flexibility of the independent study model. Students can adapt their learning schedules to accommodate their commitments and engage with the content when they are most receptive. Additionally, Sage Oak has the ability to change CTE programs quickly to keep up with industry changes.

Laura explains how the CTE courses are integrated into students' regular schedules. These courses fulfill graduation requirements and, in some cases, meet A-G requirements for students planning to attend a four-year college in California. By strategically selecting CTE courses, students can satisfy elective credit requirements while gaining expertise in a specific field of study for post-high school endeavors.

Technology plays a crucial role in Sage Oak's CTE programs. Students gain real-world experience and certifications through hands-on activities and the use of up-to-date technology. For example, in the Arts, Media, and Entertainment pathway, students earn industry-recognized certifications in Adobe and Illustrator. In the Child Development program, students use computer-chipped "babies" to monitor their interactions and receive feedback on their caregiving skills.

Overall, Sage Oak's CTE programs aim to prepare students for the workforce by providing them with practical skills and industry experience. The flexibility of the independent study model allows students to customize their learning schedules while fulfilling graduation and college entrance requirements. To learn more about Sage Oak and our CTE programs, visit www.sageoak.education.

Thank you for listening to the Sage Studio podcast presented by Sage Oak Charter Schools and hosted by Tiffiny Webster, M.A.Ed. We invite you to follow the show and leave your review below. Sage Oak Charter Schools is an independent study nonclassroom based TK-12 personalized learning public charter school serving students in Southern California. Visit sageoak.education for more information.

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