Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education
Preparing Tomorrow's Workforce Today
Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) is education about and for careers. CTAE was formerly known as vocational education. "The mission of CTAE is to educate Georgia's future workforce by engaging students in experiences that will prepare them for workplace success. Through CTAE, students see the relevance of their high school efforts to their future career goals..." (GaDOE).
In Cartersville City Schools, at the primary and elementary school level, attention is focused on career awareness and exploration. At the secondary level (Grades 6-12), the goal of the Cartersville Career Technical Aviation Academy (CCTAA) is to help students learn more about their career interests and prepare them with foundational career skills that will enable them to be successful as they transition from Cartersville High School to post-secondary opportunities. We want students to graduate from high school with a workable plan for their futures that will allow them to become self-sustaining, productive members of society.
CTAE provides students with specialized classes, internships, and networking opportunities with members of their community. CTAE programs prepare students for a wide range of high-wage, high-skill, in-demand careers. Opportunities are offered for students to earn industry-recognized credentials like the Microsoft Office Specialist certifications and the Georgia Certified Nursing Aide (CNA) license. Students can also earn college-level credit as part of CCTAA Pathway completion if they pass the End-of-Pathway Assessment at a certain level with specific requirements met.
Each year 75% or more of our students are enrolled in CCTAA courses. The graduation rate for students involved in CCTAA pathways in Georgia is 97.18%. At CHS, the graduation rate for CTAE Concentrators is 98% or higher each year. When involved in CCTAA, students are engaged and able to see the relevance of their education. Students participating in CCTAA have a variety of postsecondary education options including the following:
- Four-year college/university
- Two-year college
- Technical college
- Armed Forces
- Registered Apprenticeships
