Why we do what we do... 

Many successful career and technology education (CATE) programs are effectively supported by an advisory council for the district. The primary purpose of this group is to serve as a resource and a sounding board for career and technology education teachers and administrators.

Advisory groups at the individual career and technology education program level can make significant contributions by consulting with the faculty regarding business and industry needs. They can also assist the school in planning and implementing relevant education programs for students. In addition to these program-level advisory groups, district-wide advisory groups contribute a valuable service to the administration by providing assistance to CATE programs as a whole.

Educators appreciate the value of utilizing the knowledge, experience, and skills of individuals from the private sector to enhance the quality of career and technology education programs. The advisory groups can assist in providing quality and relevant programs.

In South Carolina, each school district is required to establish a district career and technology education advisory council and program advisory committees. This council and the committees comply with the South Carolina Five-Year Plan for the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006. Under the Education Accountability Act, high school and career center report cards must include an analysis of input from annual parent and faculty surveys regarding the learning environment and school relations. The Quality Review Measures (QRM) indicate the requirements of an annual evaluation of CATE programs. The QRM addresses requirements of advisory councils and committees and is used to review local CATE programs to determine where improvements should be made and where exceptional programs and activities exist.

The CATE advisory committee meetings are used to bring together business and industry, teachers, parents, students, and counselors to collaborate and develop effective career and technology education programs that meet workforce and student needs. These stakeholders are also invited to serve on school improvement councils to advise local administrators as to the community workforce needs. They are also needed to endorse and recommend additions to the CATE state/industry course standards that are revised/revisited on a five-year frequency. National industry standards are used as a reference in developing state-level CATE program standards and in identifying career and technology education needs.