Instructional Frameworks provide the competencies students need to access high-wage high-demand careers. Educators use the framework to build curriculum for their program to ensure students develop the skills they need for their future. Instructional frameworks are made up of standards and industry recognized credentials. The standards serve as the competencies students obtain by completion of Career Technical Education (Chapter 74) program. Each program has additional resources, such as the curriculum resource, that help educators in implementing the framework. The framework ensures that the key needs of industries are identified and prioritized in program design. Students who complete Career Technical Education programs earn credentials that make them both employable and ready for higher education. Essential industry and safety credentials are identified for each program area as an external validation of the skills students need to enter the industry. Educators and administrators may also identify supplemental or specialized credentials that students may earn in the program.

Each framework includes a blend of six strands, including:

1. Safety and Health
2. Technical
3. Academic > Academic/Technical Crosswalk
4. Employability and Career Readiness Skills
5. Management and Entrepreneurship
6. Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science Framework

Framework development begins with a “backward design” process of reviewing a labor market analysis, job postings, and input from employers, state licensing agencies, and content area nonprofits to gather actionable intelligence. Input from educators and employers are sought throughout the process, culminating in employer focus group summits and educator summits. After publishing updated frameworks, continuous feedback is gathered through the Instructional Hub and role-alike educator meetings.

Massachusetts’ economic growth requires a highly skilled and ready workforce. By working hand-in-hand with industry, our state’s educators are at the forefront of building the current and future workforce that we need.