Advance CTE Member and State Team Supports 

Workshop Series: Advancing Career Clusters Implementation Through State Policy

Advancing Career Clusters Implementation Through State Policy is a four-part, state-only workshop series focused on key policy topics—systems alignment, flexible pathways, data use, and communications—that are central to advancing Career Clusters work in states. The series is designed to be practical and collaborative, giving states space to reflect on their current context, learn from peers, and identify meaningful next steps for implementation.

Throughout the series, participants will engage with the National Career Clusters® Framework Implementation Policy Evaluation Tool as a guiding lens, using it at a depth that makes sense for their role and priorities, while surfacing state examples and emerging practices that can inform planning, implementation, and longer-term decision-making.

What to Expect

Each session includes framing and context-setting, guided engagement with the Policy Tool, structured peer discussion, elevation of state examples and promising practices, and practical implementation activities focused on identifying next steps. Participants should come prepared to actively engage and plan for follow-up conversations with the appropriate partners or state team members to be implementation catalysts.  

Who Should Attend

Participants are not required to attend all four sessions. Instead, we encourage states to send the most appropriate staff to each session based on the topic area and role. This approach allows flexibility while still creating continuity across the series.

Most importantly, this workshop series provides dedicated time with the Policy Tool and a space to think, test, plan, and move from strategy to action. 

Session Schedule & Learning Outcomes

Session 1: Context Setting & Systems Alignment 

February 17, 1:00–2:30 p.m. ET

• Build a shared understanding of the National Career Clusters Framework® Implementation Policy Evaluation Tool and how to use it in a state policy context

• Elevate how Career Clusters can serve as an organizing structure principle across education and workforce systems

• Workshop statewide goals for Career Clusters implementation and alignment

• Practice framing and leading productive conversations about Career Clusters

• Begin mapping key transition points across systems where Career Clusters can strengthen coherence and continuity. 

Register for Session 1

Session 2: Flexible Pathways 

May 12, 1:00–2:00 p.m. ET

• Gain insight to policy levers that support greater personalization and learner choice

• Identify where flexibility already exists within current program design, approval, and policy structures

• Examine how Career Clusters can be used to modernize pathways while maintaining quality

• Unpack policy areas connected to flexibility, including course numbering, program approval, and educator credentialing.

Register for Session 2

Session 3: Data Alignment & Use

August 4, 1:00–2:00 p.m. ET

• Explore how Career Clusters can support more consistent and aligned data definitions and use

• Identify opportunities to improve data-informed decision-making across systems

• Examine approaches to reporting data connected to Career Clusters and programs of study in clear, meaningful ways

• Consider how aligned data can strengthen accountability, transparency, and communication 

Register for Session 3

Session 4: Communications

November 17,  1:00–2:00 p.m. ET

• Learn strategies for incorporating Career Clusters into existing state communications and storytelling

• Build messaging that strengthens awareness and buy-in across education and workforce partners

• Identify approaches for communicating changes connected to Career Clusters to local educators and administrators

Register for Session 4

Join us to build momentum for Career Clusters, support innovation, and advance Advance CTE’s mission to strengthen high-quality, equitable CTE for learners in your state!

Additional Supports