§2302 Definitions

Summary

Defines many key words used in the chapter about career and technical education so people know what the programs and rules mean. Below are the terms named in the law with a very short plain‑English meaning for each. Administration — the day-to-day tasks needed to run the agency or recipient and supervise those tasks. All aspects of an industry — broad, real work experience and knowledge about an industry. Area career and technical education school — a public secondary or postsecondary school or department mainly used to teach career and technical skills. Articulation agreement — a written credit‑transfer promise between two schools to give students a clear, nonredundant path to credentials or degrees. Career and technical education — organized, sequenced courses and hands‑on learning that teach both academic and technical skills and lead to credentials or degrees. Career and technical student organization — a student group tied to CTE instruction. Career guidance and academic counseling — help for students (and sometimes parents or out‑of‑school youth) with career options, planning, financial aid, and supports. Career pathways — as defined elsewhere in federal law (workforce ladder of connected programs). Charter school — as defined elsewhere in federal law. Cooperative education — planned school‑and‑work alternating learning arranged and supervised by schools and employers. Credit transfer agreement — formal agreement that gives students postsecondary credit, including dual enrollment and articulated credit. CTE concentrator — secondary students who finish at least 2 courses in one program; postsecondary students who earn at least 12 credits in a program or finish shorter programs. CTE participant — anyone who completes at least one CTE course. Director — head of the Institute of Education Sciences. Dual or concurrent enrollment program — as defined elsewhere in federal law. Early college high school — as defined elsewhere in federal law. Educational service agency — as defined elsewhere in federal law. Eligible agency — the State board that runs or oversees CTE in the State. Eligible entity — a consortium made up of at least two types of education organizations plus business partners and community stakeholders, with one acting as fiscal agent. Eligible institution — colleges, area CTE schools, tribes, tribally controlled colleges, or educational service agencies that use funds for CTE. Eligible recipient — local education agencies, area CTE schools, educational service agencies, tribes, or eligible institutions that can get funds. English learner — a student or adult with limited English who speaks a different native language or lives where another language is dominant. Evidence‑based — as defined elsewhere in federal law. Governor — the State’s chief executive. High school — as defined elsewhere in federal law. In‑demand industry sector or occupation — as defined elsewhere in federal law. Indian/Indian Tribe — as defined in the Indian Self‑Determination and Education Assistance Act. Individual with a disability / individuals with disabilities — as defined in federal civil‑rights law. Industry or sector partnership — as defined elsewhere in federal law. Institution of higher education — as defined elsewhere in federal law. Local educational agency — as defined elsewhere in federal law. Local workforce development board — the board set up under federal workforce law. Non‑traditional fields — jobs where one gender makes up less than 25% of workers. Outlying area — the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Republic of Palau. Out‑of‑school youth — as defined elsewhere in federal law. Out‑of‑workforce individual — a displaced homemaker or someone who worked mainly caring for home/family, is unemployed or underemployed, and has trouble getting or improving work. Paraprofessional — as defined elsewhere in federal law. Pay for success initiative — a performance‑based contract or grant that pays only when agreed outcomes are met and that includes feasibility study, rigorous third‑party evaluation, public reporting, and protections that do not cut students’ legal special‑education rights. Postsecondary educational institution — a college offering at least a 2‑year program, a tribally controlled college, or a nonprofit that offers postsecondary certificate training. Professional development — sustained, job‑embedded training for educators that is collaborative, data‑driven, and focused on improving teaching and student outcomes. Program of study — a coordinated, nonduplicative sequence of academic and technical courses that align with standards, industry needs, and ends with a recognized postsecondary credential. Qualified intermediary — a nonprofit that connects employers, schools, and community partners and helps set up CTE programs, work experiences, professional development, and student supports. Recognized postsecondary credential — as defined elsewhere in federal law. Secondary school — as defined elsewhere in federal law. Secretary — the U.S. Secretary of Education. Specialized instructional support personnel/services — as defined elsewhere in federal law. Special populations — groups listed in the law that include students with disabilities, low‑income students, those in nontraditional fields, single parents, out‑of‑workforce individuals, English learners, homeless youth, foster youth, and children of active‑duty service members. State — the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the outlying areas named above. Support services — help like modified curriculum or equipment, classroom changes, support staff, and instructional aids. Tribally controlled college or university — as defined elsewhere in federal law. Tribally controlled postsecondary career and technical institution — a tribe‑run technical college that meets specific rules, has run at least 3 years, is accredited or seeking accreditation, offers technical degrees or certificates, has a majority‑Indian board, and enrolls at least 100 full‑time‑equivalent students with a majority who are Indian. Tribal organization — as defined in the Indian Self‑Determination and Education Assistance Act. Universal design for learning — as defined elsewhere in federal law. Work‑based learning — sustained real or simulated workplace experiences that align with curriculum and teach in‑depth job tasks.