Introduction

The mission of the Charleston County School District’s Career and Technology Education programs is to provide students with a non-duplicative sequence of secondary and post-secondary courses in which academic and technical knowledge and skills can be acquired so students will be prepared for further education and current and emerging career fields.

Studies have shown that students who complete a rigorous academic core combined with a career pathway perform better in high school, are less likely to drop out of high school, and are more likely to continue on to post secondary education. The Career and Technology Education programs in Charleston County are grouped into sixteen career clusters. Within these career clusters, students choose a career major and complete courses that potentially lead to an industry-recognized credential or certificate, an associate degree, and/or a baccalaureate degree.