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Career Cluster Plans of Study

Career Clusters provide a way for schools to organize instruction and student experiences around sixteen broad categories that encompass virtually all occupations from entry through professional levels. 

The plans of study are templates to encourage students to take appropriate course work to prepare for a career and advanced educational opportunities. 

A high school plan of study is a comprehensive educational plan that includes all required academic courses, additional academic courses and electives that will enhance or compliment a student's career interest area (cluster), work-based learning options, and transition plans for after high school.

Students are encouraged to develop a plan of study in the eighth grade and continue that plan during high school enrollment sessions. Optimally, parents are included in their planning process.  As students build on these plans, they are encouraged to think beyond high school enrollment or meeting graduation requirements.  Students often need assistance in strengthening their plans to incorporate options above and beyond typical high school graduation requirements or college entrance requirements.

Plans of study are also encouraged by the Carl Perkins Legislation.  As high school students plan and declare a career or a career cluster, evidence show that these students are better prepared for college level courses requiring less remediation.

There is no “magic format” for a plan of study, as long as it incorporates all levels of education required to meet future goals.  Items to consider, for secondary students when mapping out a plan include the type of schedule, course offerings,  college entrance requirements as well as the high school's graduation requirements,  work-based learning opportunities, and a plan for the next educational experience and/or work.  No two plans will look the same… individualize, individualize, individualize.