Technical and Career Education 6-34

School Board of the City of Virginia Beach
Policy 6-34

INSTRUCTION

Technical and Career Education

1. Generally

   The School Division shall provide technical and career education within its program of studies. The Superintendent and staff shall plan and make recommendations to the School Board for technical and career education in compliance with the Standards of Quality and the mandated plan for technical and career education approved by the School Board. The Superintendent and staff shall collaborate with business and industry in developing technical and career educational programs and conduct joint enterprises involving personnel, facilities, training programs, and other resources.

2. Definitions

   Technical and career education: Programs concerned with technical and career education means, their evolution, utilization, and significance; with industry, its organization, personnel, systems, techniques, resources, and products; and their social/ cultural impact, providing organized instruction in theory and practice designed to develop skills, knowledge, attitudes, work habits and leadership to prepare individuals to enter and make progress in occupations of their choice.

3. Goals

   Several goals establish the framework for technical and career education in Virginia Beach City Public Schools.

   1. Integrate academic and technical and career education program, aligning SOLs with course competencies.
   2. Provide a comprehensive career education program K-12.
   3. Increase awareness and understanding of technical and career education.
   4. Coordinate technical and career education program into sequences leading to diverse and flexible academic and career opportunities.
   5. Expand efforts to place students in related employment or postsecondary educational opportunities.
   6. Provide for the technical and career education needs of all student populations, including gifted, special education, disadvantaged and at-risk.
   7. Develop and implement industry certified programs with credentials that meet the demands of the changing workforce.
   8. Develop and implement Virginia Workplace Readiness skills for the Commonwealth in all program areas.
   9. All Technical and Career Education programs/courses will be aligned with a National Career and Technical Education Exemplary.
4. Building Trades Projects
   1. On Campus

      The party purchasing a project built in the building trades class will purchase the materials used in the construction of the project.

      The project will be moved to the site for use by the party making the purchase.

   2. Off Campus

      Any project to be constructed by a building trades class other than at the school will need special permission by the Director of Technical and Career Education who shall insure the safety of the students and staff on the project and check to be sure there is liability insurance coverage and consult the Office of Risk Management to protect the school system from liability for activities of students and staff.

   3. No Warranties On or Off Campus

      There are no warranties or guarantees, and each project is sold "as is with all faults" whether the project is constructed on or off campus. Persons for whom such work is to be done are to sign a form releasing the School Board from liability. Consult the division’s legal counsel and Office of Risk Management during the planning process.

5. Work on Non-School Owned Vehicles and Equipment

   As part of their training in the vocational education program, students may work on non-school owned equipment and vehicles. The School Board shall assume no liability for such work by students. Persons for whom such work is to be done are to sign a form releasing the School Board from liability.

6. Use of School Shops

   Students and adults shall be prohibited from using the school shops for personal purposes.

Legal Reference

Code of Virginia § 22.1-253-13:1, as amended, Standard 1, Instructional programs supporting the Standards of Learning and other educational objectives.

Code of Virginia § 22.1-234, as amended, Acquisition of sites for projects; sale of completed projects and other school board property.

Virginia Board of Education Regulations, 8 VAC 20-120,et seq., as amended. Regulations Governing Career and Technical Education Regulations.

Virginia Board of Education Regulations, 8 VAC 20-131-270, as amended. School and Community Communications

Adopted by School Board: July 13, 1993 (Effective August 14, 1993)
Amended by School Board: September 15, 1998
Amended by School Board: June 6, 2006
Amended by School Board: April 18, 2017
Amended by School Board: February 13, 2024