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There are six organizers (occupational clusters) for Practical and Applied Arts courses.
All curriculum guidelines will have specific names that can be linked to various clusters.
The occupational cluster organizers represent the economic growth sectors, employment opportunities, and career paths in Saskatchewan.
Ten Transition-to-Work Dimensions are integrated across the Practical and Applied Arts curricula. These are described in the PAA Handbook.
Curriculum modules are of varying lengths with clearly defined expectations and standards. They have been developed with the assistance of experienced teachers and, as applicable, key representatives from post-secondary education and training or other organizations. Modules will be configured into 100 hour combinations for one (1.0) credit courses. The modular design enables flexibility and community involvement and ownership, allowing schools and school divisions to offer a variety of course offerings for a broad and balanced program of studies designed to meet the diverse and unique needs of their students. The modular design requires careful attention to recordkeeping. The design allows teachers and students in Saskatchewan schools to fashion unique Practical and Applied Arts offerings that reflect student interest and community resources. Community partnerships are crucial to expanding the scope of the PAA curriculum beyond the confines of the school. Wherever articulation agreements have been completed, students may receive transfer credit (high school credit and post-secondary credit/recognition) or advanced standing. Students will be able to plot pathways to employment and to post-secondary education or training. The modules have clearly defined expectations and standards developed with the assistance of professional educators and industry representatives.
Some courses (e.g., in the designated trades) may provide entry level employment opportunities for those students making:
Each of the PAA Guides is composed of modules configured into suggested courses. Practical and Applied Arts courses are being mapped to six occupational clusters: Agriculture (Value-Added); Care and Hospitality; Communication; Design (Construct/Fabricate); Resources (Natural); and, Transportation. Because various combinations of modules can be chosen, the courses will have variable occupational or career pathways to post-secondary education or workplace opportunities. The courses will provide opportunities for career development utilizing the career development continuum of awareness, exploration, and experience. School Boards, directors, principals, and teachers will define the PAA offerings for their jurisdiction(s). Students and teachers, working together, have flexibility to choose the modules the student wishes to study. Some modules are core (unless prior learning assessment has been completed) and others are prerequisites for more advanced study. Each module has a specified range of hours that suggests time necessary to complete the instruction. Selection of modules should total a minimum of 100 hours of modules for 1.0 credit at the Secondary Level.
Core Curriculum endorses a broad and balanced educational program. Practical and Applied Arts courses are among the Specified Areas of Study at the Middle and Secondary Levels. (At the Middle Level, opportunities may exist for course content to be integrated into the Required Areas of Study beyond the minimum requirements.) To complete the minimum requirements for high school graduation, all students must complete two (2) credits of Practical and Applied Arts and/or Arts Education. Students are encouraged to maximize their experiences in high school. (Students must graduate with 24 credits, but many students accumulate more than 28 credits.)
Effective September 2004, students entering grade seven will be required to take at least three Practical and Applied Arts survey courses before completing grade nine. Each course must be a minimum of 50 hours. The modules for these three PAA survey courses should be chosen using criteria recommended in the survey guidelines. Students in grades 7-9 may use Christian Ethics courses to fulfill two of the three PAA survey courses requirements.
Modules have been designated in three levels Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced.
Introductory modules are for students with little or no previous experience in the course of study. The modules provide the basic skills needed for further learning and have a personal use emphasis. They provide experiences and information that will assist students to explore and identify interests and aptitudes. Many of the skills are transferable to many career choices.
Intermediate modules are more skills specific, but they are still broad in perspective. These modules provide experiences and information that emphasize the career development opportunities available and develop personal interest skills.
Advanced modules may be oriented towards the workplace, post-secondary programs, or for personal skills aquisition. Skills may provide students with workplace entry level competencies and advanced standing with post-secondary education and/or training institutions or programs. Students taking modules for personal interest will develop skills that may provide a sense of achievement and satisfaction and be useful in everyday life.
Work Study Modules
The teacher can configure a work study for each course in each grade. These optional modules will provide students with the opportunity to use equipment, materials, procedures, and processes that are not available in school settings. Students will experience a workplace in which to practise, improve and acquire skills. Work study may provide students with experiences that will be useful when they are considering post-secondary options. Further information is in the Practical and Applied Arts Handbook, in the Work Study Guidelines section.
An initial implementation list of resources accompanies each curriculum guide. A PAA Bibliography compiling all of the resource lists for all PAA curricula is available. Curriculum guides and resource lists are available within the Evergreen Curriculum Website at http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/paa.html. Resources for the PAA courses continue to be evaluated and recommended in resource list updates.
The PAA curricula were developed using a field test model where a small group of professional teachers tested and advised on curriculum development for at least one semester. The draft curricula were written by seconded and contracted developers/writers who worked with field test teachers to finalize curriculum guides. Over 30 curricula and hundreds of modules have been developed which provide opportunities for a diverse range of courses to be offered in Saskatchewan schools.
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