Since 1979, the Center for Occupational Research and Development (CORD) has been helping its clients prepare individuals for greater success in careers and higher education. Our initiatives include workforce analysis, career pathways design, curriculum development, leader and practitioner training, program delivery, technical assistance, and research and evaluation.

CORD is a nonprofit organization that has served school districts, community college systems, community and technical colleges, state and local economic and workforce development agencies, all 50 state departments of education, and 20 nations, providing innovative programs that prepare individuals for greater success in careers and higher education. CORD’s work has been broad in scope, yet focused on three core tenets: contextual teaching, seamless transitions from secondary to postsecondary education, and training solutions to help America’s technicians remain globally competitive.

For example, CORD has:

• Partnered with consortia from all 50 states to develop the pioneering contextual academic curriculum series CORD Applied Mathematics, Applications in Biology/Chemistry, and Principles of Technology

• Established national networks for educational improvement and innovation such as the National Career Pathways Network and the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers

• Trained thousands of teachers from the United States and ten other countries in contextual teaching and learning strategies

• Developed hundreds of advanced technology curricula and extensive training materials for community colleges and industry

• Developed a unique system for creating integrated curriculum built on academic, industry, and employability standards

To help communities and states achieve their educational goals, CORD partners with faculty, administrators, and business leaders to develop solutions that address specific challenges. Providing these solutions requires flexibility, innovation, and a commitment to high-quality outcomes. Their staff represents a team of collaborative thought leaders whose experience in career-technical education and career pathways runs deep and who stand ready to partner with you.