Curriculum Resources to Support the Career Education and Work Standards
Curriculum Search
CEW Curriculum Lesson Plans and Guides
Career Guides
Annually the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, publish the Pennsylvania Career Guide and accompanying Resource Guide.
PDE Standards Aligned System
The SAS system provides the Pennsylvania curriculum framework of big ideas, concepts, competencies, vocabulary, essential questions and exemplars for the Career Education and Work Standards at the benchmark and strand level.
Careers are Everywhere
Download this coloring book and use it with your elementary students. It is a fun resource.
Standalone Courses
One effective practice to implement the standards is the development of standalone courses for 8th and 9th graders, often linked with character education programs. Course outlines for Futures 1, Futures II and Foundations for Success suggest content these courses might include.
Integration of Career Education and Work and Literature
Through the artful selection of literature, teachers can meet the Career Education and Work standards by using the list of Literature Aligned with CEW Standards 13.1 and 13.2.
CEW and Children's Literature Resources
- Career Development through Children's Literature
- Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Site
- Annotated Bibliography of Books Related to Gender Equity
- Free Curriculum Kits from Teaching Tolerance
- Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People
- 40 Books About Arts
- 40 Books About Labor
- 40 Books About Science and Scientists
Developmental Classroom Activity Books
are available in hard copy only through purchase. These books provide easy to use lessons to assist students in career development, supporting 13.1, 13.2 & 13.3. Lessons are included that can be integrated into every academic discipline. There are four books, available for grades K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 cost $20 each. To order, please use this form.
Real Game Series
A set of five world-class programs, designed to bring the real world into the classroom. All programs are experiential and interactive and allow students to immerse themselves into the real world of work and life choices. A summary of the games and ordering information can be found here. Crosswalks that align the games with the Career Education and Work Standards, National Counseling Standards, SCANS skills and the National Career Development Guidelines can be found on this website in the Crosswalk section.
PA Career Education and Work Online Learning Program
A Pennsylvania created curriculum in electronic format that provides lessons for students at grades 3, 5, 8, and 11 to meet the Career Education and Work Standards. The electronic curriculum materials are free to Pennsylvania Schools and should be downloaded to your school's server. Curriculum and teacher management tools are available. The free materials can be obtained by clicking here.
YouthWorks: JumpStart Success
JumpStart Success: Your Guide for Job Readiness and Career Exploration, is the latest evolution of our 10-year, field-tested job readiness training. Now aligned to the Pennsylvania State Academic Standards for Career Education and Work, this well-respected training program is even more valuable, especially to schools working to meet the new Standards.
Funds for this Web site are provided under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-270) and from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Career and Technical Education.