Advanced Placement® and Career and Technical Education: Working Together

The Advanced Placement Program (AP) prepares students for success in college and career—but more importantly, in life. And when students participate in career and technical education (CTE) in addition to AP, they’re setting themselves up for a successful future.

AP® and CTE courses can and should work in tandem to When students incorporate AP courses into their CTE support career readiness by encouraging the development programs of study, they’re engaging in challenging of the academic knowledge and technical skills that are, academic coursework that aligns with and supports their together, increasingly important to students’ overall post-high school plans. employability. AP and CTE courses complement and The College Board teamed up with Advance CTE and supplement each other by letting students focus their high CTE directors from multiple states to consider how AP school coursework and training on career areas they aspire courses connect to the 16 Career Clusters listed in the to work in. For too long, “college-ready” and “career-ready” ® National Career Clusters Framework . The connections, coursework and experiences have been separate in our outlined in the following pages, are a starting point for schools; the alignment of AP and CTE courses shows this further discussion and innovative thinking at the school divide only limits learners’ options. and district levels to align AP coursework with state- and At the same time, CTE students are increasingly pursuing locally developed CTE programs of study. The table below postsecondary education and are just as likely to enroll in lists AP courses that could be embedded into a program college as their non-CTE peers. of study, along with additional recommended courses. Georgetown’s Center on Education and GUIDING QUESTIONS the Workforce projects that by 2020: How can your state, district, or school do the following to promote rigorous coursework in high school: § § Communicate to students and families the connections of all jobs in the economy will between AP and CTE courses and the importance of 65% require postsecondary education rigorous coursework to success in all postsecondary and training beyond high school opportunities? § § Remove barriers to ensure all students have access to both AP and CTE coursework? § Through 2020, there will be: § Support all students to succeed in both AP and CTE courses? § million § Give teachers the necessary supports, professional job openings developments, and certifications to teach both AP 55 and CTE courses? § 24 million from newly created jobs § Help students identify opportunities to take both 31 million due to baby boomer retirements. AP and CTE courses during their academic planning? EXAMPLES

In Maryland, the State Department of Education prepares The Tennessee Department of Education also has students for college and career by developing certain incorporated AP classes into its CTE programs of study. CTE programs of study that are designed to leverage AP For example: offerings in high schools. As the department develops § specific CTE programs of study, it examines AP curricula to § Environmental and Natural Resource Management— see if they align with the program’s intent. If they do, they’re AP Environmental Science infused into the program as one of the credits. § § Architectural and Engineering Design— Maryland’s CTE pathways include AP courses that students AP Calculus and AP Physics can use to complete their CTE program. § § Digital Arts and Design— For example: AP Studio Art: 2-D Design § § § Pre-Engineering—AP Computer Science Principles § Audio/Visual Production— § AP English Language and Composition § Computer Science—AP Computer Science Principles § and AP Computer Science A § Accounting—AP Statistics § § § Business, Management, and Finance— § Public Management and Administration— AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics AP U.S. Government and Politics § Students can explore subjects that interest them by § Coding—AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) digging deeper into content and tapping into their creativity and AP Computer Science A and problem-solving skills. Building these skills along § § Web Design—AP CSP with academic confidence powerfully complements CTE § programs of study. § Cybersecurity—AP CSP § § Engineering—AP CSP or AP Physics § § Technology—AP CSP, AP Computer Science A, or AP Physics “It is a false premise to suggest you’re either § an academic or career technical student. § Prelaw—AP U.S. Government and Politics § That is why we embed Advanced Placement § Advanced STEM Applications—AP Computer CSP, courses into our career pathways. Students AP Computer Science A, AP Calculus AB/BC, need to develop strong academic foundations AP Biology, AP Chemistry, or AP Physics regardless of their career pathway, so we cannot educate them in silos.”

—Dr. Lazaro Lopez, Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, High School District 214, Arlington Heights, Illinois This table can serve as a guide. Courses listed in this table are only recommended coursework and should be individualized to meet each student’s educational and career goals.

CAREER CLUSTER AP COURSES AND EXAMS

Agriculture, Food, and POTENTIAL TO BE EMBEDDED RECOMMENDED² Natural Resources INTO PROGRAM OF STUDY Biology Environmental Science Capstone (Research and Seminar)³ Agribusiness Systems Macroeconomics Chemistry Animal Systems Microeconomics Computer Science Principles Environmental Service Systems Physics C: Mechanics Human Geography Food Products & Processing Systems Physics 1 Natural Resources Systems Statistics Plant Systems World Languages and Cultures Power, Structural, & Technical Systems

Architecture and Construction POTENTIAL TO BE EMBEDDED RECOMMENDED INTO PROGRAM OF STUDY Art History Construction Physics 1 and 2 Calculus AB/BC Design/Preconstruction Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Capstone (Research and Seminar) Maintenance/Operations Physics C: Mechanics Computer Science Principles Statistics Environmental Science Human Geography Macroeconomics Microeconomics Studio Art: Drawing Studio Art: 2-D Design Studio Art: 3-D Design

Arts, A/V Technology, POTENTIAL TO BE EMBEDDED RECOMMENDED and Communications INTO PROGRAM OF STUDY Art History Physics 1 and 2 Capstone (Research and Seminar) A/V Technology and Film Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism Computer Science A Journalism and Broadcasting Studio Art: 2-D Design Computer Science Principles Performing Arts Studio Art: 3-D Design English Language and Composition Printing Technology Studio Art: Drawing Music Theory Telecommunications Statistics Visual Arts World Languages and Cultures

Business Management POTENTIAL TO BE EMBEDDED RECOMMENDED and Administration INTO PROGRAM OF STUDY Calculus AB Macroeconomics Capstone (Research and Seminar) Administrative Support Microeconomics Comparative Government and Politics Business Information Management Statistics Computer Science A General Management Computer Science Principles Human Resources Management English Language and Composition Operations Management United States Government and Politics World Languages and Cultures

Education and Training POTENTIAL TO BE EMBEDDED RECOMMENDED INTO PROGRAM OF STUDY Capstone (Research and Seminar) Administration & Administrative Support Psychology (For Teaching/Training, it Professional Support Services Statistics depends on areas of focus) Teaching/Training Computer Science Principles English Language and Composition CAREER CLUSTER AP COURSES AND EXAMS

Finance POTENTIAL TO BE EMBEDDED RECOMMENDED INTO PROGRAM OF STUDY Calculus AB Accounting Macroeconomics Capstone (Research and Seminar) Banking Services Microeconomics Computer Science A Business Finance Statistics Computer Science Principles Insurance English Language and Composition Securities & Investments World Languages and Cultures

Government and Public POTENTIAL TO BE EMBEDDED RECOMMENDED Administration INTO PROGRAM OF STUDY Capstone (Research and Seminar) Comparative Government and Politics Computer Science Principles Foreign Service Macroeconomics English Language and Composition Governance Microeconomics European History National Security Statistics Human Geography Planning United States Government and Politics Statistics Public Management & Administration World History United States History Regulation World Languages and Cultures Revenue & Taxation

Health Science POTENTIAL TO BE EMBEDDED RECOMMENDED INTO PROGRAM OF STUDY Calculus AB Biotechnology Research & Development Biology Capstone (Research and Seminar) Diagnostic Services Psychology Chemistry Health Informatics Computer Science Principles Support Services Environmental Science Therapeutic Services Statistics World Languages and Culture

Hospitality and Tourism POTENTIAL TO BE EMBEDDED RECOMMENDED INTO PROGRAM OF STUDY Biology Lodging Macroeconomics Capstone (Research and Seminar) Recreation, Amusements & Attractions Microeconomics Chemistry Restaurants & Food/Beverage Services Environmental Science Travel & Tourism Physics 1 and 2 Statistics World Languages and Cultures

Human Services POTENTIAL TO BE EMBEDDED RECOMMENDED INTO PROGRAM OF STUDY Biology Consumer Services Psychology Capstone (Research and Seminar) Counseling & Mental Health Services Computer Science Principles Early Childhood Development & Services English Language and Composition Family & Community Services Environmental Science Personal Care Services Macroeconomics Microeconomics Statistics World Languages and Cultures

Information Technology POTENTIAL TO BE EMBEDDED RECOMMENDED INTO PROGRAM OF STUDY Calculus AB/BC Information Support & Services Computer Science A Capstone (Research and Seminar) Network Systems Computer Science Principles Chemistry Programming & Software Development Physics 1 and 2 English Language and Composition Web & Digital Communications Physics C: Mechanics Statistics Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Studio Art: 2-D Design World Languages and Cultures CAREER CLUSTER AP COURSES AND EXAMS

Law, Public Safety, POTENTIAL TO BE EMBEDDED RECOMMENDED Corrections and Security INTO PROGRAM OF STUDY Capstone (Research and Seminar) Comparative Government and Politics Computer Science Principles Correction Services Psychology English Language and Composition Emergency & Fire Management Services United States Government and Politics Statistics Law Enforcement Services World Languages and Cultures Legal Services Security & Protective Services

Manufacturing POTENTIAL TO BE EMBEDDED RECOMMENDED INTO PROGRAM OF STUDY Biology Production Computer Science Principles Calculus AB/BC Manufacturing Production Process Physics 1 and 2 Capstone (Research and Seminar) Development Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Chemistry Maintenance, Installation & Repair Physics C: Mechanics English Language and Composition Quality Assurance Statistics Environmental Science Logistics & Inventory Control Human Geography Health, Safety & Environmental Assurance Macroeconomics Microeconomics World Languages and Cultures

Marketing POTENTIAL TO BE EMBEDDED RECOMMENDED INTO PROGRAM OF STUDY Calculus AB Marketing Communications Macroeconomics Capstone (Research and Seminar) Marketing Management Microeconomics Computer Science Principles Marketing Research Statistics English Language and Composition Merchandising Psychology Professional Sales Studio Art: Drawing Studio Art: 2-D Design World Languages and Cultures

Science, Technology, POTENTIAL TO BE EMBEDDED RECOMMENDED Engineering and INTO PROGRAM OF STUDY Biology Mathematics (STEM) Calculus AB/BC Calculus AB/BC Computer Science A Capstone (Research and Seminar) Engineering & Technology Computer Science Principles Chemistry Science & Math Environmental Science Physics 1 and 2 Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Physics C: Mechanics Statistics

Transportation, Distribution POTENTIAL TO BE EMBEDDED RECOMMENDED and Logistics INTO PROGRAM OF STUDY Capstone (Research and Seminar) Macroeconomics Computer Science A Facility & Mobile Equipment Maintenance Microeconomics Computer Science Principles Health, Safety, Physics 1 English Language and Composition & Environmental Management Physics C: Mechanics Environmental Science Logistics Planning & Management Services Statistics Human Geography Sales & Service World Languages and Cultures Transportation Operations Transportation Systems/Infrastructure Planning, Management, & Regulation Warehousing & Distribution Center Operations

¹ “Potential to be Embedded into Program of Study” means these AP courses and exams could be included in the sequence of academic and technical content that address both academic and technical knowledge and skills that are aligned to industry needs. ² “Recommended” means these AP courses and exams may augment or support a program of study, and a student’s post-high-school plans, but may not be appropriate to be embedded into a state- or locally developed Program of Study. ³ AP Capstone is a diploma program based on two yearlong AP courses: AP Seminar and AP Research. These courses use an interdisciplinary approach to develop the critical thinking, research, collaboration, time management, and presentation skills students need after high school. Email [email protected] with any questions.