Section 256.162  Additional Program Components for Elementary Career Exploration Programs

a)         In addition to the requirements set forth in this Part, applications for funding that include elementary (defined by ESEA as students below grade five) career exploration programs and activities must:

1)         in the case of elementary school districts, include the opportunity for students of the district to pursue a program of CTE at the secondary level; and

2)         in the case of unit school districts, have an occupational information program that is aligned with at least one State Board-designated CTEPOS or career cluster, as defined in Section 256.111.

b)         In addition to the requirements set forth in this Part, applications for funding that include middle grades (defined by ESEA as grades five through eight) career exploration programs and activities must:

1)         be aligned to the State of Illinois Postsecondary and Career Expectations Framework and at least one State Board-designated CTEPOS or career cluster;

2)         integrate instruction on employability skills;

3)         include activities supporting career exploration that are integrated into the regular course curriculum; and

4)         include the initiation of the development of a personalized learning plan that supports an individualized CTEPOS designed to meet personal career goals.