Program Approval

CATS
Using the CATS System
Sample Bedford County Technical Center

CATS contact may be the administrator or other staff member

Click to open and edit

ADD PROGRAM

ALWAYS REMEMBER TO

SAVE!

Programs should not have more than 1 delivery system. Delete obsolete system here.

If a school offers the same CIP at multiple campuses, all campuses must request POS approval in order for any of them to be approved.

Complete list of items required under Specific Info begins on the following slide.

Elements Under Specific Information

Detailed instructions can be found in the following documents:
CATS Secondary Program Approval Instructions | POS Approval Instructions

1. High Priority Occupations/Labor Market Data/Occupational Advisory Committee Market

Enter your state or regional HPO. If the program submitted does not have an associated State or Regional High Priority Occupation, provide a regional analysis or summary of findings that support the need for this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, and list the specific documentation that supports the analysis or summary. Examples include information from at least three (3) of the following sources: O*NET data, Workforce Investment Board data, economic development data, Local Advisory Committee, Occupational Advisory Committee, Chamber of Commerce data, trade union data, or letters of support from local employers documenting potential job openings and life-sustaining wages. This CTE program with its articulation may prepare students for a career in a pathway that leads to life-sustaining employment opportunities. A waiver will be considered for new program approval of CIPs that were aligned to a State or Regional High Priority Occupation in the year preceding the submission for approval.

List the name, job title, and place of employment or organization of all members serving on your Occupational Advisory Committee (OAC). Members should include employees and employers in the occupation for which training is being provided, management/labor personnel, CTE students and graduates of the program, members-at-large from the community, and postsecondary representatives. Provide the date of the last OAC meeting.

2. Occupational Analysis/Student Technical Competencies-If POS, use this statement, This program offers the curriculum framework as prescribed by the Program of Study for this CIP. The OAC and the school name JOC approved the adoption of the prescribed standards as set forth by PDE for program name (CIP Code code #) Program of Study. The CIP is listed as a state High Priority Occupation.

3. Accountability Targets (previously Exit Outcomes/Standards/PA Skills)-For new program approval requests, identify the PDE-approved end-of-program assessment and the expected level of performance, and PSSA expected level of performance. For existing programs and re-approval, indicate that the school entity attained their annual targets (NCLB/AYP status, Perkins performance indicators) pursuant to the standards for skill attainment (i.e. NOCTI), PSSA, secondary school completion and student graduation, placement, and nontraditional participation and completion.

4. No. of Prospective Students 5. Equipment and TechnologyYou may copy and paste from O*NET, then
edit as needed. Example: In the Education field under Crosswalk Search, type 51.0899 in the CIP field, click on Medical Assistant, and click on Tools & Technology. NOTE: Not all categories in O*Net include a Tools & Technology section. Only include major equipment. Also include equipment recommended by the Occupational Advisory Committee or instructor.

6. Support Services (new for 2011)--Annotate the level of CTE teacher(s)

involvement with the individualized education plan (IEP) process beginning with the students CTE program selection, and indicate that support services and accommodations are provided to CTE students who have an IEP.

7. CTSOs (new for 2011)--Identify the CTSO affiliation(s) for this program and the
level of student involvement.

8. Advisory Committees (new for 2011)--Describe the LAC, administrative,

and other advisory committees that meet on a regular basis to discuss and plan for CTE programs.

Click on Save after this section has been completed. Proceed to the Articulation Agreement Info page by clicking on Next or the Scope & Sequence tab.

Scope and Sequence includes 4 areas:

Secondary School Postsecondary Institution Dual Enrollment Credits Articulated Credits
See next four slides

For POS, select Statewide Articulation Agreement as well as your local articulations

CTCs can use the generic academic subjects on the sample. If Tech Prep or POS, after completing the secondary Scope & Sequence, click on Next or the Postsecondary Institution tab to proceed to the postsecondary Scope & Sequence.

Include major competencies with hoursmust offer at least two technical courses/credits per year to total at least the following number of hours:
1 or 2 yrs = 720 3 yrs = 1080 4 yrs = 1320

If POS, enter TBD (to be determined) one time. Then add any one-on-one dual or articulation agreements for that POS. For Tech Prep, enter one-on-one dual or articulation agreements.

REMEMBER TO

SAVE!

Dual Enrollment Credits

Articulated Credits

Enter the following information in the three blocks that appear after the first Technical Subject block: Course Number* - TBD (To Be Determined) Course Name* - TBD Credit Hours* - 1.0 For Tech Prep and/or additional one-to-one agreements under a POS delivery, enter the course number, course name, and credit hours for each applicable course. After saving the information, click on the Back to Articulation Agreement List link.

CIP Specific & Industry-recognized

ALWAYS REMEMBER TO

SAVE!

Verify teacher certificates with CIP Book

If this program has earned Industry Accreditation(s), select the appropriate accreditations for this CIP code from the drop down box. Click on drop down box to select expiration date, click Add, and then Save.

Need to clarify anything? Do it here.

Read Summary of programs and click Proceed for Submission when all elements are complete.