The 2019-20 CATS Secondary Program Approval file is now open for new secondary CTE program approval requests. The CATS file is a series of individual pages containing data elements pertaining to various aspects of approved CTE programs. The Bureau of Career and Technical Education recommends that approval for programs of study (POS) be sought for all programs for which a POS exists. For programs for which a POS has not been developed, seek Tech Prep approval. All approved programs must be delivered as POS or Tech Prep. All industry certifications MUST be entered for the teacher and students.  The deadline for seeking new program approval is May 31, 2019. CATS can be accessed at the login on PDE’s homepage.

The Career Pathway Option is a program consisting of a minimum of two related classification of instructional programs (CIPs) that are POS approved programs and offer the same foundational technical curriculum the first year. The newly updated CATS Secondary Program Approval Instructions are available on the PDE website.

Any secondary institution may submit a request for POS approval. Currently, there are 43 POS available on PDE’s website.

The competency/task grid for each POS has been developed as the foundational curriculum framework for the CIP. Therefore, all competencies/tasks must be addressed in the approved program. POS competency/task grids have been revised and are posted on the PDE website. Local Education Agencies must use the most recent list available. Additional competencies should be added as recommended by your Occupational Advisory Committee. Each course in the scope and sequence must be crosswalked to the task grid and aligned to the course where the tasks are taught.

In addition, your approved POS will provide the benefit of the articulated credits indicated by the statewide group of postsecondary institutions on CollegeTransfer.net.

If you have any questions, please contact Tammy Keisling, at (717)783-6996 or email tkeisling@pa.gov.