In Massachusetts, those programs that meet the definition of
career/vocational technical education contained in Chapter 74 of the
Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L. c. 74), and are approved by the
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education pursuant to Chapter 74
and the Career/Vocational Technical Education Regulations 603 CMR 4.00,
are called Chapter 74-Approved CVTE Programs.
Within the RSTA department, there is a General Advisory Committee (GAC) and twelve different Program Advisory Committees, one for each of the Chapter 74-Approved programs offered at CRLS.
Composition of Advisory Committees
The
composition of Program Advisory Committees and General Advisory Committees for Chapter 74-approved vocational technical education is
dictated by the Vocational Technical Education Regulations (refer to the
Definitions for required representation). The General Advisory Committee shall include, but not be limited to, chairpersons of the Program Advisory Committees.
Role of Advisory Committees
Program Advisory Committee:
The Vocational Technical Education Regulations state that it shall be
the responsibility of the Program Advisory Committee to advise, assist, and support school personnel in order to improve planning, operation, and
evaluation in its program area. Such advice shall be based on adequate
and timely information as to workforce and job development demands or
job market trends, technological developments, training alternatives, and
other factors affecting the quality of the program.
General Advisory Committee: The Vocational Technical
Education Regulations state that it shall be the responsibility of the General Advisory Committee to advise the school committee/board of
trustees, based on adequate and timely information, as to the planning,
operation, and evaluation of vocational technical instruction provided
by programs under its control.