A Career and Technical Education (CTE) Proof of Learning (POL) is a defined measure of students’ mastery of the standards and objectives learned in a CTE course. CTE POLs may be in the form of a CTE State Assessment, Performance-based Measurement (PBM), Credential, or Local measure, and are directly aligned to the course standards and objectives.
Performance-Based Measurement (PBM)
A Performance-based Measurement (PBM) is a CTE POL that provides teachers with a tool to evaluate student achievement and mastery of course concepts. A PBM measures a student’s ability to apply the skills and knowledge learned from course standards. The PBM challenges students to use higher order thinking skills to create a product or complete a process.
These courses provide students multiple opportunities to demonstrate mastery of course standards and objectives. The PBM is an authentic assessment that may consist of a defined project, portfolio, or other performance-based tasks. PBM requirements and scoring rubrics are included within the course PBM Guide and are unique to each CTE course. PBMs are administered within the enrollment term.
Credential
The mission of CTE is to prepare students for career pathways in the global marketplace by offering experiential learning, post-secondary credits, and industry certifications. CTE courses for which the CTE POL is identified as Credential allow students to earn the approved industry-recognized credentials aligned to the course standards. Some courses may require students to earn multiple credentials to demonstrate proficiency in the course. Credentials are administered within the enrollment term.
Local
CTE courses for which the CTE POL is identified as Local fall into two categories: state courses and Local Course Options (LCOs). CTE courses in the NCCTE Essential Standards (i.e., state courses) with a Local POL require individual PSUs to develop and administer the Local POL to students within the enrollment term. The format of a Local POL for state courses is determined by the PSU and must be aligned to the course standards and objectives. CTE courses that are approved LCOs require individual PSUs to utilize the Local POL approved in the LCO application process. Local POLs are administered within the enrollment term.
CTE State Assessment
CTE courses for which the CTE POL is identified as CTE State Assessment are assigned a secure test to be administered to students at the end of the enrollment term. CTE State Assessments consist of 100 multiple-choice items aligned to the course standards and objectives. The number of items from each standard/objective is determined by the course weight assigned in the Course Standards document (i.e., blueprint). CTE State Assessments must be administered within the final five (5) instructional days of the semster per state board policy.
