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Career and technical education has expanded considerably in recent years. Decades ago, this typically meant vocational programs offered by high schools to help non-college-bound students obtain alternative licenses or other qualifications needed for work.
CTE programs are now offered in middle schools and sometimes even elementary schools. These programs follow a dual-track model, allowing students to earn college credits while still in high school. It also serves as a great way for students going to college to gain advanced experience. Here are some ideas to keep in mind when starting or expanding your own CTE program.
Selection of routes offered
Under the umbrella of CTE are: 16 types career clusters such as health sciences, information technology, and manufacturing; Within each of these clusters, students can pursue different career paths. For example, network systems and web and digital communications may be two pathways that fall under information technology.
No path or career cluster is inherently better or more useful than the next. Therefore, the right path or career cluster for your school will depend on what you want to do. For example, if many students are interested in hospitality, a career path in restaurants and food service may better support their interests and career goals than one focused on manufacturing. .
But one of the best things about CTE is that much of the experience students gain is universally useful and relevant. For example, my daughter recently completed a medical assisting program and received her Certified Nursing Assistant license during her senior year of high school. Although she has no interest in pursuing a career in medicine, she is qualified to get a great job during her university studies if she wishes, but she is still concerned about her future. I learned and practiced important skills. She had to do a lot of advanced reading in her college classes and navigate all the higher expectations and more rigors she would encounter in the next step of her education.
As part of the program, she traveled to a nursing home and gained hands-on experience interacting with adults on both sides of the patient-caregiver relationship. She had to act professionally in an authentic work environment, follow her instructions, collaborate, and practice other soft skills.
Practical, hands-on skills in a particular pathway can be a powerful hook to attract students with specific interests into your program, but these are just the beginning of the benefits that CTE offers students.
Career and technical education is for everyone
Regardless of a student's plans after high school, career and technical education offers tremendous benefits.Research shows that CTE Suitable for both gifted students and students with special needsBecause things like extra reading and using math skills are embedded in real-world contexts. CTE requires hands-on learning, which helps students stay focused on their studies. Helps you absorb information better, according to multiple studies. Students who participate in CTE programs have higher attendance rates; graduationand on average earn more money than their peers.
For students planning to attend college, some CTE programs offer fully integrated associate degrees. When you factor in college tuition, students who earn 30 credits can save a lot of money. Students don't pay for her CTE classes in high school, but if they can cover elective credits and general education requirements while earning high school credits, why wouldn't they?
spread awareness
CTE programs really emphasize connectivity. They need industry partners who can provide guidance, work-based opportunities, and in some cases equipment. To find more industry partners and engage students, you need to let the community know what you have to offer.
Industry partners are a great place to start promoting your program. They tend to speak passionately about the good work they do in their communities by preparing the future workforce and providing educational opportunities for local youth. Tell them about how they can help you, and let them run to tell the world about it.
For example, if you are launching an agricultural program and need a milking machine, your industry partner will probably be able to provide you with the milking machine. Inform your community about your donation and encourage them to get the same information into the hands of families through newsletters, social media, or whatever channels your school uses. She wants families to know about her CTE program and encourage students to enroll, but families also work in the community and their awareness could lead to additional industry partners.
Don't just rely on parents, get students involved too. To increase student excitement, hold career information sessions and make sure your CTE program is well-represented at events such as open houses, orientation, and back-to-school nights. Visit middle schools and elementary schools in your district, just as band and choir programs do small tours to get young students involved.
Educators are often nervous about implementing new CTE programs because they imagine very specific courses of study that take up a lot of space. But it's worth spending some time thinking about how to make the most of the space you have. For example, if your students are really interested in esports, they'll need a computer lab with relatively powerful computers. The same space and equipment can be used for virtual biology labs, architecture programs, or video production pathways. A solid CTE program is more than worth the extra effort because it has the potential to benefit every student in the building.
The opinions expressed by SmartBrief contributors are their own.
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