CTE Blast
October 17, 2025
How can a student be identified as Career Ready?
- The student is a CTE completer and earns a national industry credential or a state industry credential in their cluster area of study
- Earns a Level 3 Credential or above on the WIN SC Career Ready Test (SCRT).
- Earns a scale score of 31 or higher on the ASVAB.
- Successfully completes a state-approved work-based learning exit evaluation from an employer.
- Is a student with a disability who successfully completes the South Carolina High School Employability Credential
Sourced from 25/26 Accountability Manual
🫠Share and Nominate!
STEM Educator of the Year – Nominate a Teacher.
The STEM Educator of the Year award is a prestigious, statewide recognition of South Carolina educators. Nominate before October 31, 2025.
2. Growing in STEM Grants – Apply for $2,500.
The Growing in STEM mini-grants are awarded to South Carolina educators creating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) focused projects for their classroom or school. Apply before December 5th.
3. CSTA National Conference – Submit a Proposal.
The conference will be held in New Orleans from July 13-15, 2026! Engage with PD created by teachers, for teachers, while experiencing the vibrant culture, incredible cuisine, and historic charm of New Orleans. Submit a proposal before October 26th.
4. Robot Loaner Program – Request Access.
The SC Department of education has purchased several physical computing devices (robots) for use in SC classrooms! According to SCCMS teachers can access by emailing their regional coach.
Parent-Teacher Conferences Script 🤩
Using this script, you will be well-prepared to make the most of conferences this year!
Vertical Articulation: Middle-High School Computer Science Pathways
Dr. Cafarella is leading a professional development group for middle and high school computer science teachers focused on vertical articulation.
We are seeking two dedicated middle school computer science teachers and one passionate high school computer science teacher(preferably teaching Fundamentals of Computing) to join the team and inspire the next generation of innovators.
The group will focus on the following:
Identifying specific units/assignments to prepare 6th-grade students for the 7th-grade high school credit
Collaborate with high school computer science teachers on pacing guides and units or assignments taught in middle school.
If interested, please email tralice_crawford@charlestoncountyschools.gov.
New Career Clusters
Click on each cluster area to learn the definition and the sub-clusters
CTE 101
This microsite provides essential information for understanding and collaborating with CTE programs, including descriptions, data, examples, key terms, and reflection tools.
Survey: Help Develop a CTE Accessibility Hub
This Hub will offer free, high-quality supports to help educators increase access to learning environments across all CTE pathways.
If you complete the survey and share your contact info, you'll be entered into a drawing to win one of four $50 gift cards.
Classroom Discussion Strategies to Increase Engagement-Click here
CCSD Instructional Framework Minute
CTE Classroom Look fors?
Learning Environment-Expectations
- Educators establish and clearly define high expectations that are demonstrated by all adults and students in the building and classroom.
- Educators establish routines and procedures to maximize student and educator growth.
- Educators provide time and space for all students to be challenged and supported in a positive and productive manner.
CTE Momentum
Preparing high school students for rewarding careers and increasing access to career and technical education.
Your AI Horizons Challenge-High School CTE students explore how artificial intelligence can enhance careers across all industries.
Elizabeth Conley at James Island Charter High school is doing the challenge with her students--elizabeth_conley.c@charlestoncountyschools.gov
CTE Essential Links
- 🆕 New Tiered Certification list updated 9-16-2025
- 🆕 Online Industry Credentials and Certification Application
2025 Congressional App Challenge
Congressional Internet Caucus provides middle and high school students with the opportunity to showcase their coding skills in an app-building competition.
The winners of this contest will have their app displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year and be invited to a reception in Washington, D.C. This challenge is open to middle and high school students who reside or attend school in South Carolina’s Sixth Congressional District.
Entries are due by Thursday, October 30, 2025 at 12:00 p.m.
To register for the competition, submit an entry, check guidelines and eligibility requirements, or for more information, visit https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/.
Students must register and submit their work through this website before the submission deadline.
📆 Professional Development Opportunities
Need to attend a training or conference?
STEP 1: Complete the Request to Attend form(updated link) and submit the request to the CTE Professional Development Request link.
STEP 2: Attach documentation
Step 3: Once the RTA and funding has been APPROVED-You will receive an email.
If you have questions, please email: tralice_crawford@charleston.k12.sc.us or terri_lockerby@charleston.k12.sc.us
DIRECT Teacher Training Information -CLICK Here
What is DIRECT?
Developing Instructional Readiness for Educators of Career and Technical Education, also known as DIRECT, addresses the needs of a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher and is coordinated by the South Carolina Department of Education, Office of Career and Technical Education.
- Don't forget to submit your RTA to attend DIRECT Training- Request to Attend form(updated link) and submit the request to the CTE Professional Development Request link.
- Don't forget to register for the DIRECT Cohort-Link
For any questions regarding the DIRECT training, please reach out to ctecertification@ed.sc.gov.
DIRECT Institutes 1, 2, and 4 will be offered during the upcoming spring session.
The scheduled dates are:
January 10
January 31
February 21
March 21
March 28 (Institute 1 only)
You can access registration details and sign up through the link below:
MagicSchool AI
Currently, we all have access to MagicSchool AI-Enterprise
- Click here
- I will be using MagicSchool AI as: Click on Educator
- Click on Sign In with Google
- Choose your account
It should say Magic School Educator Enterprise account in the top left-hand corner
MagicSchool AI -Training Modules
Many of you have started using MagicSchool AI but want some training--Follow the self pace training guides below:
Event Information
This is a great conference for new CTE Teachers and Administrators
Tentative Schedule--More information-Click Here
Questions? Contact Brenda Baldwin
Event Information
🗣 Resources✍🏽
Fundamentals of Computing/Discovering Computer Science Curriculum
Intel Corporation: The Journey Inside Curriculum:
Intel® Education: The Journey Inside℠
Intel® Education The Journey Inside℠: Explore the Curriculum
Click Here to Subscribe to the Citadel Newsletter
FREE Webinar Series on AI in Education
Webinar #2 - Hour of AI Planning
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
4-5pm
Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_g7VY8hdJTCOOPfW-wvgZ1Q
Webinar #3 - AI Prompting 101
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
4-5pm
Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ic4ajlAsQHansZjlwmAIyA
Webinar #4 - AI Ethics and Bias
Monday, January 12, 2026
4-5 pm
Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_65xvAmUfTpWH5AAaczO7bQ
2026 SC STEM Competitions
Storm the Citadel is a hands-on engineering competition open to K-12 students including Trebuchet, Water Bottle Rockets, Bridge, and Robotics competitions. Competitions will be held at The Citadel on Saturday, February 7th, 2026.
Cookie, Cocoa and Coding 2025
Students and their families are invited to come to the Citadel to experience hands-on computing opportunities.
Learning to Lead CS
Future Ready SC: Education in the Age of AI
Joint PreK-12 and higher education stakeholders to learn about opportunities and resources for education across South Carolina.
Intuit for Education
At Intuit, our mission is to power prosperity by putting more money in people’s pockets and ensuring they have confidence in all their financial decisions.
Curriculum
Free Products for Students
NASA-U.S. Space & Rocket Center -Applications open Oct 1, 2025
Everfi Curriculum
Explore our complete course catalog here.
Did you know EVERFI’s financial literacy courses can be used alongside Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF) resources that educators may already be using with students? This pacing guide outlines what EVERFI lessons pair well with NGPF units to further enrich your robust personal finance curriculum.
Digital Textbooks in CANVAS
The Department of Teaching & Learning
Here you will find the curriculum guides and resources, professional learning information, professional resources, and websites for teachers, and contact information for the Department of Teaching & Learning.
