Quality Components
A program of study provides students with a strong experience in and comprehensive understanding of all aspects of an industry.
​To create this quality educational experience, all CTE programs that receive grant funding must meet ALL NINE quality components (click to download): 

9 detailed Quality Components

Current Approved Programs

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Development and Engagement: Programs in schools reflect employment needs in community.
In addition to what your school/district provides for you, 

• ​CEANCI hosts monthly advisories with industry partners gets teachers and industry partners face to face
• CEANCI assists with the development of the Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment
• CEANCI tracks employer and job market data

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Employer-Informed Competencies and Skills: Curriculum is based on pathway-specific technical and employability skills needed. 
In addition to what your school/district provides in your curriculum, 

• CEANCI hosts monthly advisories with industry partners help teachers know what skills industry values most
• ​CEANCI conducts valued skills surveys to industry partners for teachers:

IL ESSENTIAL
​EMPLOYABILITY COMPETENCIES

TECHNICAL SKILLS SURVEY

EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS SURVEY

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Academic Instruction and Supports: All students are supported academically to succeed in CTE courses.
In addition to what your school/district provides in your curriculum, ​

• CEANCI hosts monthly advisories with industry partners help teachers incorporate academics in CTE
• CEANCI hosts ​annual school counselor workshops focused on the value of CTE

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Recruitment and Access: Schools provide access to CTE for all students and intentionally recruit and support special populations students.​
In addition to what your school/district provides for your students, 

• ​CEANCI hosts annual school counselor workshops focused on the value of CTE
• CEANCI recognizes outstanding CTE students during CTE month, every February
• CEANCI hosts a middle school expo, the Pathways Project every March

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Instructional Sequence: Stackable and approved sequences with multiple entry points are available and offer credentialing and/or post-secondary credit.
To ensure your school/district curriculum maps will receive full funding, 

• CEANCI helps school course sequences meet criteria according to state course matrices:

ISBE Course Matrices

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Work-Based Learning: Students are given opportunities to work in authentic pathyway-specific environments to practice technical and employability skills.
In addition to what your school/district provides for students, 

• CEANCI hosts a Manufacturing Day event every October
• CEANCI hosts a Culinary competition every winter
• CEANCI hosts a Graphic Design competition every school year
• ​CEANCI hosts a middle school expo (with high school booths), the Pathways Project every March
• CEANCI hosts a Technology & Engineering Education competition every April

Need a connection to industry partners for a classroom or site visit? See our Business Partner Index:

Business Partner Index

SEE 24-25 WBL EVENTS!

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Quality Instructors: Teachers have the required experience and licensing for the pathway and they pursue professional development often to maintain knowledge of modern tools, technologies, practices, and procedures. 
In addition to what your school provides,

• CEANCI provides a "Straight from Industry" training and support cohort program for all new or nearly new CTE instructors
• CEANCI assist with proper CTE Educator License with Stipulations (CTE-ELS)
• CEANCI keeps track of teacher endorsements for proper CTE licensure
• CEANCI provides Professional Development as needed for CTE teachers
• CEANCI can reimburse teachers for registration, travel, lodging, and food costs associated with Professional Development

See resources from ISBE for gaining your CTE teaching license: 

how-to get cte-els license

ISBE Career & Technical Educator Page

SEE 24-25 CEANCI PD ​OPPORTUNITIES

PD Travel Request

PD Travel
​Reimbursement Request

Out of State Travel Instructions

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Facilities and Equipment: Students have access to industry-standard equipment and supplies to equip them with skills that are desired in the chosen career field. 
​In addition to what your school's CTE coordinator tracks, 

• CEANCI keeps records of all equipment purchased with federal or state grant funds

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Continuous Improvement: Schools and teachers constantly monitor programs for relevance, efficacy, and student career success rates.
In addition to what your school/district provides for collaboration and Professional Development, 

• ​CEANCI conducts an annual Program Quality Review
• CEANCI reviews Perkins Student Performance Data with school teams
• CEANCI surveys students regarding their satisfaction with CTE programming
• NEW in 2025: CEANCI surveys students regarding their CTE future goals for tracking purposes

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grant administration information

CEANCI Board of Governors have approved the CTE Consolidated Plan for the 2021 to 2025 school years. This plan is the framework for all region activities that utilize grant funds. Annually, individual high schools submit a plan to be approved by the System.

FY 21-25 CONSOLIDATED GRANT PLAN

GRANT PURCHASES--ALLOWABLE/UNALLOWABLE EXPENDITURES

CAREER & TECHNICAL STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS (CTSO) INFORMATION

PURCHASE AND DELIVERY PROTOCOLS