CTE Blast
November 14, 2025
Enter the CTE Momentum Challenge by November 19
The U.S. Department of Education invites high schools to propose AI solutions that reimagine traditional ways of working.
To participate, teachers do not need AI expertise or experience — their professional knowledge and commitment to student collaboration are all that’s required.
The deadline for submissions is 6:00 p.m. ET on November 19, 2025. Please submit at least one hour before the deadline to ensure your completed submission is received.
Each team lead must be employed as a CTE teacher, coordinator, or director by the Eligible Recipient and must be at least 18 years of age.
FBLA is seeking more than 50 volunteers to judge events at the FBLA Volvo Regional Competition.
- No background in FBLA or previous judging is required.
- Volvo Region schools are represented from the following counties: Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, & Jasper.
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
CTE Essential Links
- 🆕 New Tiered Certification list updated 9-16-2025
- 🆕 Online Industry Credentials and Certification Application
- South Carolina Course Code Database
- PLANNING A FIELD TRIP--Start Here😇
- Student Career Opportunities -Updated Daily -PLEASE SHARE ✌🏻
Click on each cluster area to learn the definition and the sub-clusters
🫠Share and Nominate!
1. 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.
2. 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.
📆 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
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.
- DIRECT Training Dates-Cohort-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.
WIN Ready to Work Testing -Required
Reminder: All teachers in the DIRECT program should arrange to take the WIN Ready to Work Assessment by June 30 of the first year of certification.
What sections of the WIN Ready to Work Assessment do I need to take?
- Work Ready Math
- Work Ready Reading
- Work Ready Data
All sections must be attempted by June 30 of the first year of certification. All sections must be passed by June 30 of the fifth year of certification. Level 4 is considered passing for each assessment to validate basic skills competency. CTE teachers may take the exam as many times as it is offered before June 30 of their fifth year of certification.
The assessment is free of charge; testers may be required to complete a registration form. Educators should upload an official copy of WIN scores through My SC Educator Portal.
The CCSD Office of Adult Education can help you schedule the WIN Assessment by completing the APPOINTMENT REQUEST FORM.
Teacher Corner
Classroom Discussion Strategies to Increase Engagement-Click here
Parent-Teacher Conferences Script 🤩
Using this script, you will be well-prepared to make the most of conferences this year!
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.
🗣 Instructional Resources✍🏽
Magic School AI & ChatGBT Update
We are on hold with purchasing all AI software until the district establishes guidelines and board policy.
- Phase 1 involves establishing AI guidelines and board policy.
- Phase 2 will focus on PD and AI tool exploration and adoption
Gemini in Google Classroom (AI Teaching Assistant)
New AI Tools for Google Classroom
The new Gemini tools integrated into Google Classroom are designed to be a generative AI assistant for educators, helping to reduce time on administrative and content creation tasks. To access Gemini in Classroom: In our Google Workspace (waffle menu), select Classroom > Gemini (on the left menu) > See the Google AI tools for educators
Notebook LM
Google NotebookLM for Teachers
Research and note-taking tool assistant, grounded exclusively in the user's uploaded source material. Research and note-taking tool powered by Gemini. Upload PDFs, websites, YouTube videos, audio files, Docs, Slides, and NotebookLM will summarize them and make interesting connections between topics. Access Notebook LM in our Google Workspace (waffle menu).
Gemini Gems and Notebooks for Students through Canvas
Teachers can assign specific Gems and Notebooks for students. Contact Lacy Bryant (CCSD's Canvas Administrator) to find out how this works.
Security of Gemini in K-12 Education
Gemini in Google for Education has the enterprise-grade data protection, which means conversations are not used to train AI models, are not reviewed by humans, and are managed under our Google Workspace for Education terms, helping to maintain compliance with regulations like FERPA and COPPA.
Classroom Tools-Support for CareerSafe
If you need CareerSafe resources, refresher materials, or general support, please reach out to Joel Wren.
Account Executive 281-898-2298 (call/text)
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
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
Teaching Gen Alpha Personal Finance No Cash? No Checks? Now What?
Explore new teaching strategies that speak to a classroom of students raised on digital currency and mobile payment apps.
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.
FREE Webinar Series on AI in Education
Webinar #3 - AI Prompting 101
Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 4-5 PM
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.
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.
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.
Event Information
This is a great conference for new CTE Teachers and Administrators
Tentative Schedule--More information-Click Here
Questions? Contact Brenda Baldwin
