Question: What is required in order to opt out of the new career-technical education (CTE) program requirements for 7th & 8th grade students?

Answer: Beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, districts must provide CTE to students in grades 7 and 8. However, the statute (RC 3313.90(B)) allows district boards of education to pass a resolution that specifies the district's intent "not to provide career-technical education to students enrolled in grades seven and eight for a particular school year" and requires the district to submit the resolution to ODE by September 30. ODE is  required to waive the requirement for any district that submits a waiver resolution that school year.

A recent FAQ from ODE provides the following additional guidance:

  • The opt-out requirement does not go into effect until September 30, 2015 (FY2016).
  • If a district chooses to provide CTE to only one of the two grades (i.e. grade 8, but not grade 7), the district is still required to adopt and submit a resolution that specifies their intent not to provide CTE to grade 7 students.
  • ODE will not be providing a sample waiver resolution.

A link to ODE's FAQ document is available online.  

Posted by Sara Clark on 4/24/2015