The Framework for Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) in Career and Technical Education (CTE) provides a tool for developing high-quality FCS programs of study. It is designed to help local and state CTE administrators leverage their FCS programs to support students preparation for high-skill, high-wage, and/or in-demand careers and meet local economic and workforce demands for talent. FCS educators can also use the Framework to support their program and instructional planning to enhance the relevancy of their FCS programs.
Family and Consumer Sciences: A field of study
Central to the Framework is the FCS body of knowledge- an interdisciplinary field that explores basic human needs, individual well-being, family strengths, community vitality, and their interrelationships. Cutting across these core concepts are themes of capacity building, global interdependence, resource development and sustainability, technology, and wellness.
The FCS body of knowledge provides the theoretical foundation, serving as a springboard from which FCS teachers and professionals can build FCS programs of study, facilitating student exploration of and advancement in specific career pathways. High-quality FCS programs do this through:
· Rigorous and relevant classroom instruction aligned to skills demanded by the workforce
· Engaging work-based learning experiences
· Embedding national programs and competitive events of FCCLA
· Facilitating industry-recognized credentials and attainment of post-secondary credit
Central to the Framework is the FCS body of knowledge- an interdisciplinary field that explores basic human needs, individual well-being, family strengths, community vitality, and their interrelationships. Cutting across these core concepts are themes of capacity building, global interdependence, resource development and sustainability, technology, and wellness.
The FCS body of knowledge provides the theoretical foundation, serving as a springboard from which FCS teachers and professionals can build FCS programs of study, facilitating student exploration of and advancement in specific career pathways. High-quality FCS programs do this through:
· Rigorous and relevant classroom instruction aligned to skills demanded by the workforce
· Engaging work-based learning experiences
· Embedding national programs and competitive events of FCCLA
· Facilitating industry-recognized credentials and attainment of post-secondary credit
Career Pathways and Clusters
The career pathways and clusters suggested in the Framework were identified through a national survey of FCS State Administrators about which clusters and pathways were supported through their CTE state leadership initiatives. Courses aligned to these pathways can facilitate CTE concentrators in programs of study that meet workforce and economic needs. CTE administrators should use local, regional, and state workforce demand data to guide decisions about which FCS programs can be leveraged to meet both student interest and workforce demand. But as you can see within the Framework, the opportunities to leverage FCS can be tailored to a CTE program’s needs. Consider the below examples:
The career pathways and clusters suggested in the Framework were identified through a national survey of FCS State Administrators about which clusters and pathways were supported through their CTE state leadership initiatives. Courses aligned to these pathways can facilitate CTE concentrators in programs of study that meet workforce and economic needs. CTE administrators should use local, regional, and state workforce demand data to guide decisions about which FCS programs can be leveraged to meet both student interest and workforce demand. But as you can see within the Framework, the opportunities to leverage FCS can be tailored to a CTE program’s needs. Consider the below examples:
Employability Skills
FCS teachers may also train students in employability skills through courses foundational to multiple pathways both within and outside of the FCS pathways and career fields included in the Framework if need is validated by business and industry. FCS teachers are specifically, and unique among other CTE teachers in teaching such employability skills as outlined on the Perkins Collaborative Research Network as interpersonal skills, communication skills, personal qualities, and resource management.
FCCLA: The Ultimate Leadership Experience
The Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) serves as the Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) for Family & Consumer Sciences Education, providing teachers and students with valuable experiences to develop and refine skills in Hospitality & Tourism, Visual Arts & Design, Education & Training, and Human Services. FCCLA provides opportunities for students to develop leadership and employability skills that enhance students’ understanding of community, work, family, and their interrelationships.
FCCLA is unique it that it offers programs, resources, professional development, and student experiences that support all pathways supported by the field of Family & Consumer Sciences. Imbedding FCCLA in a school's FCS department means that students across all pathway programs can benefit from their involvement, while promoting efficient use of resources and more effectively meeting the educational institution's goals.
View the Competitive Events & Career Pathways Crosswalk to explore how FCCLA's competitive events program aligns to career pathways and career readiness initiatives.
The Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) serves as the Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) for Family & Consumer Sciences Education, providing teachers and students with valuable experiences to develop and refine skills in Hospitality & Tourism, Visual Arts & Design, Education & Training, and Human Services. FCCLA provides opportunities for students to develop leadership and employability skills that enhance students’ understanding of community, work, family, and their interrelationships.
FCCLA is unique it that it offers programs, resources, professional development, and student experiences that support all pathways supported by the field of Family & Consumer Sciences. Imbedding FCCLA in a school's FCS department means that students across all pathway programs can benefit from their involvement, while promoting efficient use of resources and more effectively meeting the educational institution's goals.
View the Competitive Events & Career Pathways Crosswalk to explore how FCCLA's competitive events program aligns to career pathways and career readiness initiatives.
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