Arizona CTE Professional Skills

The Arizona Professional Skills are taught as an integral part of all CTE programs. They are recognized by business and industry leaders as being the most critical knowledge and skills necessary to obtain the job, be successful in the job, and advance in any career pathway. They are the result of 11 focus groups conducted around the state by the Arizona Department of Education, Career and Technical Education, working in cooperation with the Arizona CTE Quality Commission, advocates for accountability and excellence in Career and Technical Education.

CTE Professional Skills Standards

Full Page - Word ~ PDF / Printable Cards - Word ~ PDF

These standards are designed to be incorporated in the instruction of the CTE program technical standards.

High School Professional Skills Assessment

This assessment measures the quality of skills and behaviors needed to succeed in the workplace. Questions are written to reflect current student skills which may be experienced through entry-level work, school activities, and/or volunteering. Topics are sourced from the AZ CTE Professional Skills Standards/Rubrics and the 2022 Social Emotional Learning Crosswalk.

CTE Professional Skills Performance Rubric

Rubrics for each standard measurement criteria provide teachers with a tool to evaluate student performance based on nine standards’ core actions:

STANDARD 1 Complex Communication
  Start Here: Foundational Skills for Complex Communication Checklist
  Rubric
STANDARD 2 Collaboration
Rubric
STANDARD 3 Thinking and Innovation
Rubric
STANDARD 4 Professionalism
Foundational Skills for Professionalism Checklist
  Rubric
STANDARD 5 Initiative and Self-Direction
Rubric
STANDARD 6 Intergenerational and Cross-Cultural Competence
Rubric
STANDARD 7 Organizational Culture
Rubric
STANDARD 8 Legal and Ethical Practices
Rubric
STANDARD 9 Financial Practices
Rubric

CTE Professional Skills Resources

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO): azed.gov/cte/ctso
CTSOs work as an integral component of the classroom curriculum and instruction as they enhance student learning through contextual instruction, leadership and personal development, applied learning and real-world application.
Competitive Advantage Track: markcperna.com/cat/
This free, video-based learning series does more than teach students about vital professional skills—it shows them why these skills matter to the successful life they want to live. Equip your students to build a personal competitive advantage that will enhance their effort at school and prepare them for a great future.
Curriculum Consortium (CTECAZ): ctecaz.org
Collection of over 60 Professional Skills lessons incorporating best practices to support students in learning and mastering these valuable skills.
Soft Skills Aha: softskillsaha.com
Now more than ever, today's employers are seeking more than technical ability; they are looking for real team players who possess strong communication and problem-solving skills, and who demonstrate resourcefulness and leadership in the workplace. Soft Skills High is specifically designed to provide high school students a place and an online program to learn the soft skill curriculum, earn a certificate upon completion of the program, and demonstrate their knowledge in the workplace. Learn more: www.softskillsaha.com
The Learning Prism: thelearningprism.org
Free professional skills curriculum aligned to the CTE Professional Skills standards.
Explore 10 modules with engaging videos and worksheets (online and printable). Module quizzes, course reviews, final assessments, and certification are offered after each course.
Find Your Grind - Future Ready Arizona: Click for Information
Find Your Grind units and badges are aligned to the AZ Professional Skills Standards. Life and career readiness curriculum provides bite-sized learning activities organized into flexible, comprehensive units. Teacher resources include lesson outlines and professional development.

Contact Information:

Susan Farretta
CTE Career Development Program Specialist
Arizona Department of Education
Career and Technical Education
Email: [email protected]
Desk: (602) 542-5540

Please note: The Arizona Department of Education does not endorse curriculum.
The curricular resources on this webpage are posted for teacher consideration and offer instructional ideas to teach CTE Professional Skills.