Career and Technical Education

Business, Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) and Technology

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department includes programs in technology, business education and family and consumer science (FACS).

At Shen, we offer CTE in grades 6-12 and our curriculum is based on the the New York State Standards for Career and Technical Education (CTE).

Business Education

High School Gr. 9-12

Shenendehowa offers a wide variety of Business Education courses to introduce and prepare students for jobs and/or college majors in that field. Our courses focus on financial literacy, marketing, accounting, computer skills, soft skills, employment, ethics, leadership, and professionalism. Students may select business courses each year as an elective or they can opt for the business pathway to an Advance Regents Diploma. The department also offers a number college-credit bearing courses. CEIP (Career Exploration Internship Program) is open to seniors to provide real life work experiences.

Students in grades 10 through 12 may choose from all Business courses.
Students may take the following courses for college credit: College Accounting, College Personal Finance and Investment, College Principles of Marketing, and College Entrepreneurship
CEIP (Career Exploration Internship Program) is open only to seniors. CEIP is offered as a semester course (.5 Unit), which requires a 54-hour internship.

More information on these courses and their requirements can be found in the Program of Studies.

Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) Education

The mission of the Shenendehowa FACS Department is to prepare individuals to be competent, confident and caring in managing their personal, family and career lives. Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) Education empowers individuals and families across the life span to manage the challenges of living and working in a diverse global society. Our unique focus is on families, work, and their interpersonal relationships.

Middle School Gr. 6-8

Students take FACS classes in grades 6 and 7 preparing them to meet their present and future responsibilities as family members, consumers, and wage earners. More information on these courses can be found in the Program of Studies.

Family & Consumer Science 6 (FACS) – This class meets one out of three days for half a year, students are prepared to meet their present and future responsibilities as family members, consumers, home managers, and wage earners. Middle School Career and Technical Education is structured around thematic modules designed to be foundational, interdisciplinary, and aligned with New York State standards. The Middle School curriculum is designed to bridge to High School courses regardless of a students' academic pathway. The topics for grade 6 include: Introduction to nutrition and wellness, social emotional learning, survival sewing, and community service.
Family & Consumer Science 7 (FACS) – This class meets two out of three days for half a year, students are prepared to meet their present and future responsibilities as family members, consumers, and wage earners. Topics include: characteristics of adolescents, social emotional learning, goal setting, time management, career and financial management, nutrition and wellness, clothing management, and community service.

High School Gr. 9-12

The Family and Consumer Sciences Department currently offers courses in Lifespan Studies (previously known as Human Development), Textiles and Design, Housing and Environment, and Health Sciences. Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) courses at the high school can be taken as electives or as part of the Child Studies Career Sequence. This sequence of courses prepares students to continue their education in the early childhood and/or elementary education fields. Students completing all six FACS courses (5-units) earn a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation. More information on the courses and their requirements can be found in the Program of Studies.

Technology Education

Shenendehowa’s Technology Department strives to expose students to the current technologies that are used in a variety of industries. We provide many opportunities for hands-on learning through interactive teaching methods, partnerships with businesses, and co-curricular programs. Middle School Career and Technical Education is structured around thematic modules designed to be foundational, interdisciplinary, and aligned with New York State standards. The Middle School curriculum is designed to bridge to High School courses regardless of a students' academic pathway.

Middle School Gr. 6-8

Students take technology classes each year in middle school. Through an engaging, hands-on approach, students develop knowledge and skills to solve complex technological problems. More information on these courses can be found in the Program of Studies.

Technology 6 - Meets one out of three days all year, students participate in and are exposed to the new computer science and digital fluency standards through coding and other computer-based assignments and projects.
Technology 7 – Meets one out of three days for half a year, students design, build and ultimately test their projects. Through these experiences students are challenged to solve problems, work collaboratively in groups, communicate effectively, work safely and behave appropriately. Each project is focused on process skills as well as demonstrating specific math, science and technology concepts.
Technology 8 - Meets two out of three days for half a year, students focus on proper machine safety and usage. Students will participate in orthographic drawing, 3D modeling, and using the CNC machine. In addition, students will participate in augmented reality welding.
Gr. 8 Technology Accelerated (DDE) – 40 week daily program, students entering 8th grade may apply to accelerate in Technology by taking DDE. To be considered students must fill out an online application in February of the year preceding 8th grade. Students are selected based on their essay, school attendance, math and science grades, and interest. DDE is offered before school during period zero, and one section is offering during the school day. This course is held at the middle school.

High School Gr. 9-12

Students enrolled in the High School Careers and Technical Education Program may choose a 3 or 5 unit pathway. However, students not wishing to pursue a CTE pathway may also take Technology Education courses as electives.

Students pursuing a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation may also elect to complete 5 units of Technology in place of the LOTE requirement.

There are three technology pathways to consider:

Engineering – Design – Architecture
Technology Career Access (Trades) Program
Computer Science

More information on these courses and their requirements can be found in the Program of Studies.

CTE Graduation Requirements

For a Regents/Advanced Regents Diploma, students must have one credit of Art, Music, Technology or FACS.

To earn an Advanced Regents Diploma, students must complete 3 units of credit in LOTE (Language Other Than English) OR 5 units of credit in Art, Music or Career Technical Education (Business, FACS, Technology, Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical School)

CTE Pathways

Shenendehowa offers four Career and Technical Education Pathways approved by the New York State Education Department. Students can earn a CTE technical endorsement on their diploma through these Pathways. Each Pathway includes course work in Career and Financial Management, Work Based Learning (minimum 54 hours), one course with college credit, and successful completion of a technical exam based on industry standards. The four pathways offered include: Transportation Systems, Building Trades, Child Studies, and Business Management. Please reference the High School Program of Studies for Pathway Requirements.

Essential Info Shen CTE Pathways