Academic Preparation as described in the Career Preparation System is consistent with the Michigan Curriculum Framework. However, its purpose is to be additive to the Framework by placing particular emphasis on learning academics in a career context using authentic workplace applications and expectations to make learning more relevant, improve student academic achievement, and create greater awareness of career options. Academic Preparation within the Career Preparation System then assumes one activity category - Career Contextual Learning/Authentic Instruction.

Career Contextual Learning/Authentic Instruction
Career Contextual Learning/Authentic Instruction is defined in the Career Preparation System as an instructional and assessment approach combining academic and career-related content. It includes four common elements:

Standards-based academic instruction; *Learner-centered activities, involving students' learning strengths and areas of high interest; *Authentic career contexts as focal points for instruction; and *Uses a variety of career contexts from each pathway.

Further, career contextual learning/authentic instruction should be designed with input from business and industry to provide relevant career contexts and communicate authentic workplace applications and expectations.

Career Contextual Learning Standard and Benchmarks
Standard
The participating education agency board of education or designee will have adopted academic learning in a career context (Career Contextual Learning) as a teaching/learning strategy in the K-12 curriculum by using authentic workplace applications and expectations to make learning more relevant, improve student academic achievement, and create greater awareness of career options.

Benchmarks
 

• The local board of education or designee has adopted career contextual learning strategies that meet the state standard
• Ensure the utilization of the Michigan Curriculum Framework (MDE, 1996) as a guide to the development and adoption of a local curricular program that incorporates academic content standards in the areas of Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and English Language Arts as evidenced by the district's curriculum design.
• Ensures that instructional teams participate in curriculum decision-making and are provided the necessary resources to design, develop and implement career contextual activities within the district's curricular program as evidenced by school improvement plans and curricula.
• Ensures that career contextual learning activities are systematically planned and provided for elementary, middle, and high school students in each building of the district as evidenced by curriculum guides and course descriptions/schedules.
• Ensures that teaching and learning activities at each level use a variety of career contexts from each of the six career pathways as focal points for instruction to engage students in areas of meaningful interests and learning strengths as evidenced by curriculum guides or other records of instructional activity.