Introduction

Within Core Curriculum, the Practical and Applied Arts (PAA) is a major area of study that incorporates five traditional areas of Home Economics Education, Business Education, Work Experience Education, Computer Education, and Industrial Arts Education. Saskatchewan Learning, its educational partners, and other stakeholders have collaborated to complete the PAA curriculum renewal. Some PAA curriculum guides have been updated; some components have been integrated, adapted, or deleted; some Locally Developed Courses have been elevated to provincial status; and some new guides have been developed.

A companion Practical and Applied Arts Handbook provides background on Core Curriculum philosophy, perspectives, and initiatives. The Handbook articulates a renewed set of goals for PAA. It presents additional information about the PAA area of study, including guides about work study and related Transition-to-Work dimensions. In addition, a Practical and Applied Arts Information Bulletin provides direction for administrators and others regarding the implementation of PAA courses. Lists of recommended resources for all guides will be compiled into a PAA Bibliography with periodic updates.