What is academic integration?
In CTE, academic integration means combining technical skill development based on industry standards with content knowledge from related academic subjects (English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science or Social Studies).
At the federal level, the Perkins Act places high importance on the integration of academic and CTE content. One of the key purposes is “to promote the development of services and activities that integrate rigorous and challenging academic and career and technical instruction.” There are many successful models for CTE academic integration; all require a commitment of CTE staff to the importance of integration and the collaborative planning and implementation by teachers of various subjects.
One example of CTE academic integration is Geometry in Construction. Geometry in Construction is an integrated geometry in construction course where the common core aligned geometry curriculum is taught in the context of construction. The course is team taught by a math teacher and a technology teacher and the concepts within the course are organized to complement the skills and the knowledge needed in the building process, starting with foundational concepts. Students in this course have math days as well as build days. On the build days, students work together to build a tiny house or shed. This course provides students the opportunity to immediately apply what they are learning in the classroom to what they are doing on the build site.
The following video provides student perspectives of the Geometry in Construction program: https://vimeo.com/61550992. Additional information can also be found http://www.contextuallc.com/geometry-in-construction/.