CTE Blast
March 18, 2026
CTE ESSENTIAL LINKS
Micro-Grant Opportunities
Apply Today!
The Bright Ideas Microgrant program will award individual grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 to CCSD educators at all grade levels K-12, supporting innovative, student-centered projects across STEM, the arts, literacy, and social-emotional learning.
Please click on this link for information/details on how to apply! The easy-to-complete application window runs now through April 3.
Technical Advisory Committes Nomination
The South Carolina Department of Education Office of Career Readiness is seeking qualified and committed Career and Technical Education (CTE) educators, leaders, and partners from higher education, business, and industry to serve on Technical Advisory Committees (TAC) as we begin the revision of state CTE course standards.
Technical Advisory Committees will spend approximately 6 hours collaboratively reviewing standards. Meetings may occur in-person, virtually, or a combination of both- depending on the TAC.
Committee members will receive a stipend for their time and expertise.
You may submit a self-nomination form here: https://scde.formstack.com/forms/cte_standards_revision_tac_nomination_form Nomination forms are due April 1.
FREE Career Clusters Posters Kit
Give students a simple, engaging way to explore career options, discover how interests and values fit with career choices, and see how real jobs fit within each Career Cluster.
Community STEM DAY!
Event Information
JOIN US FOR A DAY OF:
● Family Fun – Hands-On STEM Activities
● Robotics – Scholar Exhibits
● Industry Partners – STEM Stations
For info, email cheryl_walden@charleston.k12.sc.us or call 843-745-7107
Event Information
How can a student be identified as Career Ready?
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 40+ hour Work-based Learning experience with a signed Training Agreement and a Supervisor Evaluation, which is aligned with their IGP and one of their high school courses.
- Is a student with a disability who successfully completes the South Carolina High School Employability Credential
Sourced from 25/26 Accountability Manual
📆 Professional Development Opportunities
THE CITADEL STEM CENTER 💥
CSPD Week June 22-26, 2026
The STEM Center at The Citadel has partnered with the national Computer Science Teachers' Association (CSTA), SC CSTA, and South Carolina Department of Education to provide computer science training to K-12 teachers in South Carolina.
You can learn and register here: https://citadeljalbert.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0c8FcqC5wliPtQy
**We anticipate stipends for attending, but still waiting on grant confirmation**
2026 CTE Research Training Institute
Online Training-June 22-26, 2026
An intensive five-day Training Institute to prepare the next generation of CTE researchers. The training is designed to build the capacity of researchers to plan and conduct high-quality studies of CTE programs, practices, and policies.
Applications for the 2026 Training Institute will be due March 26, 2026.
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.
The CCSD Office of Adult Education can help you schedule the WIN Assessment by completing the APPOINTMENT REQUEST FORM.
🗣 Instructional Resources✍🏽
G-W CTE Instructional Resources
If you would like any complimentary instructional resources (digital or print) to preview for your programs, just click the link below:
Review: CTE Catalog & Career Pathways Navigator document that aligns all our CTE titles to your current career pathways and academies, which helps students discover their interests for college and/or future careers.
All our Health Science:https://www.g-w.com/health-sciences
We have over 100 CTE titles that support industry- based certs, CTSO's and a wealth of teacher resources w/ lesson plans, PPTs, activities, and more!
Realityworks
2026 CATE Program Catalogs for easy reference.
- Agriculture
- Construction
- Education
- Healthcare and Human Services
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Energy & Natural Resources
If you have questions, please contact Karen McDowell-karen.mcdowell@realityworks.com
Next Gen Personal Finance 🆕
Help your students safely practice banking in the digital age with NGPF’s Online Bank Simulator.
The primary Online Bank Sim interactive activity lives within the Personal Finance Banking Unit and Financial Algebra Checking & Linear Equations Unit.
Everfi
EVERFI’s no‑cost digital resources can help strengthen your programs with engaging, standards‑aligned learning experiences.
Supports career readiness initiatives across multiple pathways in the National (and State) Career Clusters
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.