Rural IL CTE Project
Rural CTE Resource Database
The Rural CTE Resource Database compiles tools, tips, and assistance into one, easy-to-use and understand source. This database is intended for any CTE educator, school administrator, and community partner to find the inspiration and support they need to launch or grow their CTE programming. New resources will be added over time, so be sure to check back frequently. To recommend or revise a listing, please contact us.
CTE programs bolster the capacity of rural and small schools to provide students with high-quality and individualized education. Rural students who follow these CTE pathways forge the bedrock of their personal and professional lives while supporting local businesses and industry through internships and future employment.
The primary goals of this effort are to better understand the needs and equity gaps of rural CTE programs through intentional research, and to provide targeted technical assistance to all Illinois rural and small schools.
This Web Portal compiles the research and technical assistance conducted by the Rural IL CTE Project team for easy use by all Illinois rural and small school districts, and beyond, to strengthen and enrich their CTE offerings.
- Basic Facts and Information about CTE
- Illinois State Board of Education Career and Technical Educator Licensure Forms and Resources
- Tools, Guides, and Research for Creating Student Groups
- A Framework for Supporting High-quality CTE Programming
- Testimonies and Guidelines for Sustaining High-quality CTE Pathways
- Self-guided Program of Study Expectations Evaluation
- Career Development Experience Toolkit
- Apprenticeship Resources
- Illinois Pre-apprenticeship Program Supports
- Grant Writing Basics
- Illinois State Board of Education CTE Curriculum
- Profession-based Learning Basics
- Illinois Apprenticeship Program Search
- Curriculum Resources by Career Cluster (Paid)
- Illinois Postsecondary and Career Expectation (PaCE) Framework Support
- Illinois Postsecondary and Career Expectation (PaCE) Framework Webinars
- Rural Debate Initiative – A non-profit organization that offers free professional training to rural schools on communication, critical thinking, leadership, and teamwork skills for students.
- ISBE Virtual Course Catalog
- “Including College and Career Readiness Within a Multitiered Systems of Support Framework” – An exploration into new methods for ensuring rural students with disabilities can access college and career readiness training and improve lifelong outcomes.
- ISBE Program of Study Toolkit
- ComptiaSPARK – Free, in-depth middle school career exploration software that shows the application of STEM and digital skills to all professions. It is easily implemented in any class or curriculum.
- CISR High School Program – Skills and training in the insurance and risk assessment industry for high school students.
- CTE Learn: Comprehensive Professional Development from the Association for CTE
- Testimonies and Perspectives from Illinois CTE Teachers
- Illinois State Board of Education CTE Educator Office Hours for Support and Questions
- Illinois State Board of Education CTE Professional Learning Events
- New CTE Teacher Workshop
- Illinois Business Education Association New Teacher Mentor Program
- Workforce Development Webinars
- Guides and Tools for Building Equity in CTE
- Illinois Agricultural Education & FFA Educator Resources
- The Illinois Career and Technical Administrators Group
- Illinois State Board of Education Career Connections Conference
- Integrated Career and Academic Preparation System CTE Learning Communities
- Illinois Association of CTE Annual Conference
- Association for CTE Region III Conference
- Illinois Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers Association Summer Conference
- Association for CTE Annual CareerTech Vision
- WIOA Illinois Workforce State Summit
- CTE Forward Summit
- Rural-Focused Networking Model: Collegiate Edu-Nation (CEN)
- National Profession-based Learning Network with Rural Members: The CAPS Network
- “This Ain’t Your Grandfather’s CTE” – Advice and tools from a rural teacher on bringing career learning and project-based opportunities to your classroom.
More information coming soon.
- Illinois Center for Specialized Professional Support CTE Resources
- Advance CTE Resource Library
- National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) industry partner CTE program list
- Trane, Inc. K12 Education Programs
- Snap-on Industrial Certification Program
- Snap-on “Makers and Fixers” CTE Testimonies
- Northern Illinois University EdSystems College and Career Pathways Resource Library
- Illinois Department of Employment Security Labor Market Information – Employment projections for the next decade, look especially at the “Learn More Earn More” flyer for the faster growing and highest paying occupations in Illinois.
- Core Learning Exchange – Catalog of over 1200 CTE courses for grades 6 through 14.
- EC-Council – Online library of cybersecurity skills, programs, and curriculum
More information coming soon.
More information coming soon.
More information coming soon.
