The opportunities available to students under the PAA umbrella are numerous. The courses span everything from basic cooking skills to the latest in multimedia communication. Students and teachers will find a multitude of choices. The choices can range from developing personal use skills, to gaining entry level employment skills and work, to pursuing post-secondary education or training. All students have the opportunity to explore and develop career pathways.

Practical and Applied Arts curricula link many new technologies with traditional technologies. Instructional resources support both Middle Level and Secondary Level learning and accommodate a wide range of learning styles. A diversity of approaches greatly enhances the learning opportunities and successes for students.

Strengthening the interface between secondary education and post-secondary education in the PAA will benefit students. Articulation is the formal process to link secondary and post-secondary programs in a seamless transition that facilitates student progress. Effective articulation can result in improved information for educational and career planning, and improved access and preparation for success in post-secondary programs and institutions. Articulation can facilitate recruitment and retention in programs. Articulation can reduce duplication of learning activities and lower costs. Formal articulation agreements may include consideration for entrance as well as transfer credit or advanced standing.

The overall aim of Practical and Applied Arts is to reinforce essential theory and practice, and to apply a variety of skills in context. The goals describe the types of skills. The foundational objectives of each set of curriculum guidelines describe the context(s). The PAA area will provide important learning opportunities for all students to apply technical knowledge and to improve technology, planning, personal, and teamwork skills.

The Practical and Applied Arts area will provide important learning opportunities for all students. The goals include:

• enhancing the quality of personal life
• incorporating and enhancing the Common Essential Learnings that connect to the acquisition and development of generic and specific entry-level employability skills classified as academic skills, personal management skills, and teamwork skills
• ensuring appropriate attitudes for lifelong learning
• applying and enhancing knowledge, skills, and principles that emphasize a multi-disciplinary approach to education
• developing skills in the manipulation of equipment and materials while developing a contemporary view of technology-related skills and theoretical knowledge
• emphasizing practical application(s) with an appropriate balance of theory
• pursuing career development principles through opportunities for career awareness, career exploration, and experience as students begin selecting career pathways
• providing specialized learnings to assist students to access post-secondary education and training
• creating opportunities for the transition from the world of school to the world of work.

The aim and goals of the Practical and Applied Arts link to foundational objectives. Foundational objectives express the major general outcomes for students who take PAA courses. These statements are reflective of various PAA subject perspectives and include Common Essential Learnings statements. They are stated at the beginning of each curriculum guide. The foundational objectives addressed within each module are stated at the beginning of the module.