Surveys and Resources:
The National Career Clusters Framework
Glossary of Terms
Career Cluster - A broad set of related occupations used when organizing career information, instruction, and student opportunities. Career Clusters provide a way for schools to organize instruction and student experiences around sixteen broad categories that encompass virtually all occupations from entry through professional levels. Resources such as KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS STRUCTURES and BROCHURES are available for each of the sixteen clusters. To read about the 16 national Career Clusters, go to http://www.careerclusters.org.
Program of Study (POS) - As defined by Perkins IV, a Program of Study identifies options for students to use when planning specific course work and other education activities that lead to a career pathway. A program of study specifies secondary and post-secondary courses, includes academic and CTE content in a coordinated, non-duplicative progression of courses, dual-credit opportunities, and industry-recognized credentials or associate or baccalaureate degree goals.
A subset of related occupations within a career cluster. Example: Quality Assurance is a program of study found within the Manufacturing Career Cluster.
Four-year Course Plan - An individualized course plan for the four years of high school related to the student's career major, this plan is a key component of the Career Program of Study.