Empowering Future Generations Through Career Technical Education
Career Technical Education (CTE) is not just about vocational classes; it is a structured approach that prepares students for both college and careers. CTE provides essential 21st-century skills and offers a range of industry-approved courses. By increasing student attendance, improving graduation rates, and providing career pathways, CTE addresses the achievement gap while paving the way for success in various fields. From Agriculture to Technology, students have numerous options to explore, ensuring they leave school ready to enter the workforce or continue their education.
Empowering Future Generations Through Career Technical Education
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Presentation Transcript
CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION “Connecting Students to School, College and Careers” Charles Weis, Ph. D. County Superintendent of Schools November 13, 2009
Career Technical EducationWhat it’s NOT… • … the vocational classes my generation took (remember wood shop?) • … a refuge for kids who are NOT going to college • … a place to stick kids who don’t seem to fit into a curriculum • … merely exploratory
Career Technical EducationWhat it IS… • …a series of courses grouped together to prepare students for college AND careers • …a method to give students 21st century skills • …a series of UC a-g approved courses • …an opportunity for all students
Career Technical EducationWhat it DOES… • …increases student attendance • …helps close the achievement gap • …raises grade point averages • …increases graduation rates • …assists in getting a job • …paves the way to college
Career Tech classes are organized into 15 groups of inter-related occupations and broad industries called “industry sectors” • Each sector has two or more career pathways, for a total of 58 pathways options Career Tech: 15 Industry Sectors
Career Tech Industry Sectors • Agriculture and Natural Resources • Arts, Media, and Entertainment • Building Trades and Construction • Education, Child Development, and Family • Energy and Utilities • (more) 7
Career Tech Industry Sectors(continued) • Engineering and Design • Fashion and Interior Design • Finance and Business Industry Sector • Health Science and Medical Technology • Hospitality, Tourism, and Recreation • (more) 8
Career Tech Industry Sectors(continued) • Information Technology • Manufacturing and Product Development • Marketing, Sales, and Service • Public Service • Transportation 9
Jobs in the next 10 years Thousands
Dropouts: Virtually Unemployable • 33,485 Statewide in 2008 • 3,264 in Santa Clara County • High school dropouts have considerably lower • earning power • Over a working lifetime, dropouts earn • $400,000 to $500,000 less than those who graduated • Source: Left Behind in America: The Nation’s Dropout Crisis 12
SJ 2020 Initiative • A commitment to join together to eliminate the • achievement gap in San Jose by 2020 • Our Standard: All students will test proficient or • advanced on state assessments • Dropout rate • Graduation rate • College retention as a result 13
Achievement Gap 45% 43% 14
Counselors can: • …provide college and career guidance • …identify career pathway options based on student interest inventories • …review career assessment information with students
Teachers can: • …provide insights into student’s interests and • learning styles • …adjust their instruction to meet the needs of • various learning styles • … identify careers and skills relating to their subject area
Parents can: • …provide students information on career pathway options and career plans at school site • …create opportunities to start discussions with child regarding skill and career assessment tools at school • …create opportunities to discuss plans for the future
Business Partners can: • …serve in advisory roles • …offer job shadow days • …participate in school- based enterprises • …offer internships • …provide guest speakers • …host field-trips • …assist Career Tech Student Organizations • (CTSO’s)