Career and Technical Education
Middle School
All middle school students in USD 497 explore careers in the 8th grade required course Career and Life Planning. Additionally, students can enroll in technology and STEM courses. USD 497 offers Project Lead the Way - Gateway courses at all middle schools except the Lawrence Virtual School.
For a description of our middle school career and technical education courses, please visit the USD 497 Middle School Course Descriptions
High School
Career and Technical Education in the Lawrence Public Schools provide students a sequential set of classes to explore careers of interest and develop skills in preparation for college and a career.
Introductory courses allow students to explore a wide variety of careers within the field. Technical level courses focus on specific skills that are needed within the career area. Students who have gained the technical skills within the pathway are eligible to enroll in Application level courses, which provide "real-world" experiences in the classroom with industry mentors or through professional workplace experience. Many courses are eligible for college credit.
For a description of our high school career and technical education courses, please visit the USD 497 High School Course Descriptions
Community Resources for Career and Technical Education
Plans of Study
The Lawrence Public Schools provide a plan of study for traditional high school as well as eight areas of study.
USD 497 Career Field - KSDE Career Pathway
Animal Plant and Environmental Systems - Animal Science; Environmental Science (BioChemistry); Plant Systems
Arts and Media - Digital Media; Graphic Design
Business and Technology - Busines Finance; Information Support and Services; Marketing, Network Systems; Programming and Software Development; Web and Digital
Design, Production, and Repair - Automotive Repair (Mobile Equipment Maintenance); Construction and Design, Engineering and Applied Mathematics; Welding (Manufacturing)
Health Science and Biotechnology - Health Science; Biomedical
Hospitality and Tourism - Restaurant and Event Management
Human and Public Services - Corrections, Security and Law Enforcement Services; Early Childhood Development and Services; Family, Community and Consumer Services; Government and Public Administration; Teaching and Training,
Liberal Arts/World Language/Early College
Individual Plans of Study
Advisory Committees and Work-Based Learning
Teacher Resources for Career and Technical Education
USD 497 staff resources are available through a shared Google Drive (linked below). If you are a staff member who needs access to these documents, please contact Patrick Kelly, Chief Academic Officer.
Middle School Career and Technical Education Staff Resources (link)