Does the White House Support CTE?

by Dr. Pamela Bracey

Cluster Specialist

Information Technology
 

As professionals of the field, we all know that Career & Technical Education (CTE) represents a critical investment in our future. After all, companies often view CTE programs as important sources for producing well-prepared employees that they need to fill skilled positions. The past two years have been a whirlwind in terms of funding and the overall future status of CTE, so I decided to post information regarding President Obama’s Administration’s blueprint for a reauthorized Perkins Act in case any of you have not yet heard about it.   

 

According to the United States Department of Education Office of Vocational and Adult Education’s publication last year regarding CTE, “Investing in America’s Future: A Blueprint for Transforming Career and Technical Education,” it is the goal of The Obama Administration to promote a new error of rigorous, relevant, and results-driven CTE shaped by four core principles:   

1. Alignment. Effective alignment between high-quality CTE programs and labor market needs to equip students with 21st-century skills and prepare them for in-demand occupations in high-growth industry sectors; 
2. Collaboration. Strong collaborations among secondary and postsecondary institutions, employers, and industry partners to improve the quality of CTE programs; 
3. Accountability. Meaningful accountability for improving academic outcomes and building technical and employability skills in CTE programs for all students, based upon common definitions and clear metrics for performance; and 
4. Innovation. Increased emphasis on innovation supported by systemic reform of state policies and practices to support CTE implementation of effective practices at the local level.  

According to the document, The Obama Administration’s proposal “reflects a commitment to promoting equity and quality across these alignment, collaboration, accountability, and innovation efforts in order to ensure that more students have access to high-quality CTE programs. The proposal seeks to also use a combination of technical assistance, competition, and a system of structured rewards to ensure that more students, regardless of backgrounds or circumstances, have access to high-quality CTE programs.” To view more, visit:
 

http://www.p12.nysed.gov/cte/docs/PerkinblueprintFull2013.pdf.

Is your district or CTE center doing anything to encourage or support these four core principles? If so, I would love to hear a few of your best practices.

Reference: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education, Investing in America’s Future: A Blueprint for Transforming Career and Technical Education, Washington, D.C., 2012.