Pathmakers Episode 2: Career Clusters Part 2 - Maryland’s New CTE Experience

In Part 2 of our deep dive into Career Clusters, we move from the "why" to the "how." Host Chuck Wallace welcomes back Dan Hinderliter (Advanced CTE), Marquita Friday, Sally Irwin, and Scott Nichols to unpack Maryland's innovative CTE Flex Model. This new approach moves away from rigid, four-course sequences and empowers students to "choose their own adventure" based on their unique career goals. Listeners will discover how the new model uses two foundational core courses followed by flexible options like Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Enrollment, or "Career Connected Learning"—such as apprenticeships and school-based enterprises. The panel discusses how this shift not only increases student agency but also expands equity by freeing up program capacity. From "curriculum agnostic" standards to post-secondary crosswalks, learn how Maryland is building a system where every student can design a future that fits them. Host: Chuck Wallace, Coordinator of Career Technical Student Organizations, MSDE Guests: Dan Hinderliter, Associate Director, State Policy at Advance CTE Marquita Friday, Director of School Support, MSDE Sally Irwin, Coordinator of School Support, MSDE Scott Nichols, Coordinator of School Support, MSDE Timestamps: 00:00 Intro and Recap 01:08 CTE Flex Model Explained 02:22 Choosing Your Adventure 03:55 Career Connected Learning 05:38 National Alignment and Personalized Pathways 08:25 Ensuring Equity and Consistency 11:19 Streamlining Local Implementation 13:12 Post-Secondary Crosswalks 15:15 Episode Recap and Closing