Massachusetts Career and Technical Education Programs (CTE) prepare students to graduate with skills and credentials that will provide them with advanced employment opportunities to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation. CTE Programs also provide students with learning experiences that enable them to see and understand their future career paths, including continued education. Signature components of CTE programs include at least 900 hours of immersive learning time, co-operative education in partnership with local employers, and opportunities to earn high-value industry recognized credentials. The CTE frameworks are developed to guide instruction and support program design that ensure students graduate with the skills and learning experiences that best prepare them in their field.
Massachusetts has recently contracted with NS4ED to develop the next generation of CTE Frameworks, envisioned to be a dynamic source of resources and tools to support continuous improvement of CTE Programs. NS4ED is currently soliciting feedback on how the frameworks are currently used. Please complete this survey to provide feedback. The updated frameworks will include additional implementation resources, including Program Specific Health and Safety Plans.
The first frameworks to be developed through this process will be Veterinary Science and Programming & Web Development. More information about the revision process will be included here when available.
There are 45 program areas in 11 Industry clusters. Each program area has a framework, additionally, there are four common frameworks that apply to all programs: Safety & Health, Essential/Employability Skills, Management & Entrepreneurship, & Digital Literacy. The links below provide the most recent version of the frameworks available.
Safety and Health (Strand 1, 2014)
Employability / Essential Skills (Strand 4, 2014)
Management & Entrepreneurship (Strand 5, 2022)
Digital Literacy & Computer Science (Strand 6, 2016)
Agricultural Mechanics (2014)
Animal Science (2014)
Environmental Science & Technology (2014)
Horticulture (2014)
Design and Visual Communications (2014)
Graphic Communications (2014)
Radio and Television Broadcasting (2014)
Business Technology (2014)
Fashion Technology (2014)
Marketing (2014)
Cosmetology (2021, for reference only)
Building and Property Maintenance (2014)
Cabinetmaking (2014)
Construction Craft Laborer (2014)
Mason and Tile Setting (2014)
Painting and Design Technologies (2014)
Sheet Metalworking (2014)
Carpentry (2022, for reference only)
Electricity (2022, for reference only)
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (2022, for reference only)
Plumbing (2022, for reference only)
Early Education and Care (2014)
Dental Assisting (2022, for reference only)
Health Assisting (2022, for reference only)
Medical Assisting (2022, for reference only)
Culinary Arts (2014)
Hospitality Management (2014)
Information Support Services & Networking (2022, for reference only)
Programming & Web Development (2022, for reference only)
Criminal Justice (2014)
Biotechnology (2014)
Drafting (2014)
Electronics (2014)
Engineering Technology (2014)
Robotics and Automation Technology (2014)
Stationary Engineering (2014)
Telecommunications and Fiber Optics (2014)
Advanced Manufacturing (2022, for reference only)
Metal Fabrication & Joining Technologies (2022, for reference only)
Diesel Technology (2014)
Marine Service Technology (2014)
Power Equipment Technology (2014)
Automotive Collision (2022, for reference only)
Automotive Technology (2022, for reference only)
Aviation Maintenance Technology (2022, for reference only)
Last Updated: March 16, 2023
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