Hey all, We have some exciting news for you! The new competency-based endorsements are finally live on our website! I posted an announcement on my newsletter page earlier this week, CTE directors should have received a newsletter announcement from USBE too, and perhaps you stumbled upon it when browsing our webpage in your free time...you know, for fun. (I can't even type that with a straight face!)
Please see the Official Announcement from April Painter below.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
We are excited to announce the release of the new Career and Technical Education (CTE) Competency Endorsements.
In alignment with Utah’s shift toward personalized learning, these endorsements offer a flexible, skills-focused pathway for educators to enhance their professional licenses. These new competency-based endorsements provide the flexibility to demonstrate expertise through a variety of options.
Why This Matters for You:
*
Flexibility: Multiple pathways to qualify, including microcredentials, professional exams, industry certifications, and demonstrated portfolios.
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Facilitates Initial Steps: These endorsements provide teachers with an accessible entry point to begin the process of obtaining their professional credentials.
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Workforce Excellence: Ensures our districts are staffed by highly qualified experts who have demonstrated real-world competency.
Summary of New Endorsement Updates
* Updates to Endorsement Names
To ensure consistency across all endorsements, licensing has revised some names. The former "Essentials" endorsements are now categorized as "High School," while the previous "Basics" endorsements have been reclassified as "Middle School."
*
Revised Course Authorization Lists
Each new endorsement has an updated list of authorized courses. Teachers and directors should review these closely when choosing an endorsement, as some changes have been made.
* Computer Science Removed from BFM Middle School and BFM High School
Computer science is no longer part of the BFM Middle School and High School endorsements (it IS still within the BFM Comprehensive) and should not be included in future staffing decisions. Those who previously held the BFM Basics will still be able to teach those computer science courses.
*
Retiring Endorsements
Several endorsements will be shifted to inactive status in January 2027. Directors should plan ahead for staffing, educator transitions, and any needed pathway updates. Educators currently holding any retiring professional endorsement will remain fully qualified to teach all previously approved courses and do not need to update their endorsements.
* New & Combined Endorsements
Several existing endorsements have been streamlined to reduce overlap and clarify pathways for educators, while new endorsements reflect current industry expectations and emerging content areas. These updates aim to align better with course offerings and support teachers with accurate qualification options. All changes for newly created endorsements take effect on July 1, 2027.
* Transition Period for Associate-Level Endorsements
Educators with an associate-level endorsement will have a one-year transition period before changes take effect. During this time, they can continue following the old endorsement requirements. After the transition year, they will need to meet the updated criteria for the new professional-level endorsement. This ensures statewide consistency, aligns educators with the new competencies, and provides ample time for preparation.
How to Get Started:
1.
Review the Specifications Documents: Each endorsement includes a "Spec" and an application. The "Spec" serves as a comprehensive guide, detailing the required competencies necessary to complete the endorsement application.
2.
Choose Your Pathway: For each competency, you have the flexibility to meet the requirement through any of the options.
3.
Apply via SM Apply: Submit the endorsement application digitally through the USBE Licensing portal<https://usbelicensing.smapply.us/>.
You can find the full list of available CTE endorsements and their corresponding specs documents on the CTE Endorsement website<https://www.schools.utah.gov/cte/educatorendorsements>.
We look forward to seeing how these personalized pathways support your professional growth and the success of our students.
Best,
April Painter
Utah State Board of Education
CTE Endorsement & Financial Literacy Specialist
Phone: 801.538.7750
Email: april.painter(a)schools.utah.gov<mailto:april.painter@schools.utah.gov>
[cid:0e305760-ea53-47a7-a1e9-602676579503]<https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/EndorsementAppointments@schools.…>
[cid:b300849d-7ae2-46e2-ab28-3a414833d963]<https://financeintheclassroom.org/>
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Utah State Board of Education | Career & Technical Education | Learning That Works
Hello all!
I hope your New Year is going well. I will not be around on the 27th, so I’m hoping to catch as many of you as possible this Thursday January 22nd at 3:00pm. We will be talking about the wins from the first semester and talking about what plans we have implemented or plan to install for the rest of the year.
Here is the link to the meeting. Thanks for your understanding.
https://meet.google.com/qar-kapf-mbm<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://meet.google.com/qar-kapf-mbm__;!!P-Vt7t…>
Hey Team,
You know I don't like to bombard you with emails. This one is time sensitive as it is the final reminder about CTE Scholarship applications. Please give this info another look and offer student support where you can. Best, gw
CTE SCHOLARSHIPS & TUITION AWARDS APPLICATIONS ARE DUE FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2026, AT 11:59 PM!
You may access the scholarship application here<https://www.schools.utah.gov/cte/resources/scholarshipsawards>. All applications will be submitted electronically using the Adobe Sign platform. Please pay special attention to the following items as you help students fill out this application.
* Pay close attention to the Application Scoring and Preparation<https://www.schools.utah.gov/cte/resources/scholarshipsawards> tab. This information lets students know how the application is graded and what essay questions need to be answered during the application process. It would be proactive for students to type their answers to the essay questions in a Word document and save the document. When filling out the application, students can then copy/paste their answers into the application.
* Make sure students have ALL documents needed PRIOR to filling out the application. Students will need to complete the application in one session, meaning they are not able to save their progress and finalize later. It would be wise if students had all documentation saved to a folder on the desktop or a storage device. This will allow for easy upload to the application. The documents required for the application are:
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Signed USBE Media Release (English)<https://www.schools.utah.gov/cte/_cte/month/ResourceMediaRelease.pdf> or USBE Media Release (Spanish)<https://www.schools.utah.gov/cte/_cte/month/ResourceMediaReleaseSpanish.pdf>
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Letter of Recommendation from a CTE teacher
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CTE Career Pathway<https://www.schools.utah.gov/cte/pathways>
* Signed, unofficial transcript with all CTE courses highlighted
* All CTE skill certifications and industry certifications. Please have all scanned in one document. We have provided a PDF tool on the Publications and Resource<https://www.schools.utah.gov/cte/resources/scholarshipsawards?mid=3119&tid=4> tab.
*
If students do not have access to their YouScience certification history, please reach out to YouScience Costumer Support at support(a)youscience.com or (801) 653-9356.
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We recorded the webinar discussing how to access the application and how to submit in Fall 2025. You can review the webinar anytime here<https://schools-utah-gov.zoom.us/rec/play/WaFa6Sw0j9iiUsYXCqhCIw-GHxoplUE-Z…>.
All applications are due electronically on January 30, 2026. No application will be considering for review if submitted past this date. If you have any questions regarding the CTE scholarship and Tuition Awards, please don't hesitate to contact Ashley Higgs at ashley.higgs(a)schools.utah.gov.
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Geoff Warren
CTE Education Specialist
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"Fear kills more dreams than failure ever will." -- Suzy Kassem
Hello All!
Welcome to the New Year! Below is the information they asked me to send out about this month's Durable Skill, Innovation. As a reminder, these posters are also available on my Newsletter Website (see signature). Also on the site are other announcements and opportunities that I post there instead of innundating you with emails.
Please reach out if you need anything!
Ready to ignite creativity and critical thinking?
Innovation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the secret sauce that combines entrepreneurial creativity with analytical skills to solve real-world problems. When students innovate, they imagine boldly, take risks, and think critically to turn ideas into action.
This Month’s DURABLE SKILL: Innovation
What makes innovation tick?
* Risk-Taking – Dare to try something new.
* Problem Solving – Tackle challenges head-on.
* Critical Thinking – Analyze, evaluate, and improve.
* Authenticity – Keep it real and relevant.
* Curiosity – Ask “What if?” and explore the unknown.
Why Innovation Matters in CTE
Our students are stepping into industries that never stop evolving. Teaching innovation means preparing them to:
✅ Adapt to Change: Quickly master new tools and processes.
✅ Drive Improvement: Go beyond “follow the steps”—find better ways!
✅ Bridge Theory & Practice: Turn big ideas into practical solutions.
✅ Build Career Resilience: Creativity is automation-proof.
How to Bring Innovation to Life in Your Classroom
Here are some fun, practical ideas you can try:
* "Fix the Flaw" Projects: Give students a common tool, process, or product relevant to your pathway (e.g., a simple code, a faulty circuit, an inefficient layout) and challenge them to innovate by designing an improvement. Encourage them to take risks in their design.
* Themed Design Constraints: Present students with a complex problem that has intentionally tight constraints (e.g., "Design a sustainable solution using only recycled materials" or "Automate this task with a budget of less than $5"). These constraints force creative thinking.
* Authentic Problem-Solving (Case Studies): Instead of giving them the procedure, present them with the final goal and let groups devise their own methods to achieve it. In an Engineering class, this could be "Design and print a custom part that solves a specific mechanical issue," leaving the "how" up to them.
* Critique and Iteration Cycles: Introduce a formal process of peer critique. Students must present their initial idea/prototype, receive analytical feedback, and then explicitly document how they used critical thinking to iterate and improve their design. This directly teaches the problem-solving loop.
* "Curiosity Time" or Free Exploration: Dedicate a small amount of class time (e.g., 15 minutes weekly) for students to explore a topic or technology of their own choosing related to the CTE field. This fosters intellectual curiosity and autonomy.
By weaving innovation into your CTE curriculum, you’re not just teaching skills—you’re shaping future leaders and problem-solvers.
How are YOU teaching innovation?
PLEASE SHARE your ideas here: https://forms.gle/QmNvuedGTLnWwUSw8
Thank you for ALL you do for our students and their communities!
Geoff Warren
CTE Education Specialist
Aviation [join the Aviation listserv]<https://lists.uen.org/mailman3/lists/cte_aviation.lists.uen.org/>
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Hours: 8a - 4p M-F
O: 801-538-7868
C: 385-707-5090
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"What we learn becomes a part of who we are." – Unknown