Massachusetts Chapter 74 New Program Application

The application process to offer new Chapter 74 programs reflects the complexity and importance of these programs. To ensure that school districts interested in developing new Chapter 74 programs are first establishing key foundational elements for those programs, the Department has created a three-step process.

1. Submission of an Intent to Apply comprises the first step. Submission of an Intent to Apply does not obligate the submission of a Preliminary (Part A) application, but all Part A applicants must have first submitted an Intent by the published deadline. The stage is designed to provide school districts considering application for a new Chapter 74 program a simple and direct mechanism to signal an intent to apply for Chapter 74 status. It also provides the DESE Office for College, Career, and Technical Education with information needed to advise potential applicants on the viability of a potential application.

2. The elements found in the Preliminary (Part A) Application comprise the second step. The Part A components include regional consultation, labor market and student demand, ensuring that the program is of sufficient length, and the development of a Program Advisory Committee. Applicants whose Part A applications are judged viable will be invited to submit Concluding (Part B) applications, the third step in the process.

3. The Concluding (Part B) Application requires applicants to evidence the remaining Program Approval Criteria and Operational Requirements identified in 4.04 of the Vocational Technical Education Regulations. This third step includes a Safety, Health, and Accessibility Review of the program facilities and equipment, and a meeting between a member from the Office for College, Career, and Technical Education and the prospective program's Advisory Committee.

See resources below to understand the application process, resources, and deadlines.

Note for 2023-2024 applications: If your district plans to submit an Intent to Apply for any of the following programs, please reach out to Marnie Jain or ccte@mass.gov before you proceed.

• Animal Science
• Veterinary Science
• Graphic Communications
• Design and Visual Communications
• Marketing
• Business Technology
• Aviation Maintenance Technology

SY 2023-2024 Information on Chapter 74 New Program Approval Process and Webinars

Chapter 74 New Program Approval Process

Application Forms

All applications must be submitted online

• 2023-2024 Submission Portal (Intent, Part A, and Part B)

• Intent to Apply — for reference only

• Preliminary (Part A) Application — for reference only

• Concluding (Part B) Application — for reference only

Changes to the application and approval process

• Required participation in a new webinar, Designing for Equity, to be delivered in Part B
• Regional Consultation: Signatures are no longer required. Close Proximity has been replaced with the requirement to consider schools in your workforce development region. Please read the updated Regional Consultation Guidance for details.
• Enhanced post approval supports: Technical Assistance designed for districts opening programs for the first time. Post-approval onsite visits three years following approval for all programs.

Guidelines and Additional Forms

Intent to Apply

• CTE Program Advisory Committee (PAC) Form

Preliminary (Part A)

• Ch74 Regional Consultation Guidance and Evidence of Consultation

• View your region's blueprint

• Guidelines for demonstrating student and labor market demand for the program

• Total Hours of Instruction worksheet

• CTE Program Advisory Committee (PAC) Form

• General Assurances Signature Form

Concluding (Part B)

• State and Federal Board and Agency Approvals

• Onsite Comment Form for PAC

• Letter to PAC re: Onsite Visit

• CTE Program Advisory Committee (PAC) Form

• NIOSH Checklists

• Safety and Health Plan

• Curriculum Mapping Grid

• Integration of Academic and Technical Instruction

• Program-Specific Guidance and Placement

• Co-op Assurances Signature Form

• Offsite projects Assurances Signature Form

• Reviewing Curriculum and Instruction for Bias and Stereotyping

• Vocational Licensure Waivers

Webinars

Chapter 74 New Program Preliminary (Part A) Application Webinar

This webinar guides prospective applicants through the elements comprising the Chapter 74 New Program Preliminary (Part A) application. It is designed for any school and school district personnel involved in developing a Chapter 74 New Program application.

Chapter 74 Program Advisory Committee Webinar

This webinar is designed for school and school district administrators and for industry experts assisting in the development of a Chapter 74 New Program Preliminary (Part A) application. The webinar will present several considerations for the development of a program-specific Advisory Committee.

Chapter 74 New Program Concluding (Part B) Application Webinar

This webinar guides prospective applicants through the elements comprising the Chapter 74 New Program Concluding (Part B) application. It is designed for any school and school district personnel involved in developing a Chapter 74 New Program application.

Chapter 74 New Program Safety & Health Plan Webinar

This webinar guides prospective applicants through the elements comprising the Chapter 74 New Program Safety & Health Plan. It is designed for any school and school district personnel involved in developing a Chapter 74 New Program application.

Chapter 74 New Program Designing for Equity Webinar

This webinar guides prospective applicants through strategies to understand and address barriers that impact student success and approaches to equitable recruitment and access to Chapter 74 new programs. It is designed for any school and school district personnel involved in developing a Chapter 74 New Program application.

(click on dates for registration link)

Last Updated: November 27, 2023