The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), National Association of State Directors for Career and Technical Education Consortium (NASDCTEc), and Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) are taking steps to educate the public about the role career and technical education (CTE) plays in educating and training the future workforce and the economic impact it has on local communities.
As America continues to tackle economic and workforce issues, recent research illustrates the critical need to earn a high school diploma and complete some form of postsecondary education or training. First, The Economic Benefits of Halving the Dropout Rate: A Boom to Businesses in the Nations Largest Metropolitan Areas, a report released this month by the Alliance for Excellent Education, examines the impact of cutting a single classes dropout rate in half. The report states that more than 30,000 jobs could be created in one year based on increased spending and investments, with an estimated $ 5.3 billion boon to local economies by the time this one class of graduates reaches the midpoint of their careers.
One of the solutions to reducing the dropout rate is CTE. According to a 2005 National Research Center for Career and Technical Education report, a ratio of one CTE class for every two academic classes was shown to minimize the risk of students dropping out. In a Gates Foundation report, 81 percent of students who dropped out said that more real-world learning might have influenced them to stay in school. CTE courses keep students engaged in the classroom, and CTSOs provide an extension of classroom learning where students develop leadership skills and interact with teachers beyond the classroom.
Americas Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs: Education and Training Requirements in the Next Decade and Beyond discusses how the demand for professionals with education and training above a high school diploma but below a bachelors degree is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. For example, veterinary technicians, nursing assistants, pharmacy technicians, forensic-science technicians and dental hygienists are all among the fastest-growing occupations projected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
CTE programs provide students with an opportunity to enter and complete postsecondary education by preparing students for the rigor and expectations of postsecondary curriculum, reducing the need for remediation, increase student motivation through added relevance, and streamlining the K16 educational system to avoid duplication of courses. Through initiatives such as Programs of Study, Dual Enrollment, Tech Prep, and Early and Middle College High Schools, CTE programs are on the front lines of ensuring that more students transition to postsecondary education and are prepared for success there.
When CTE students enter postsecondary education and states invest in CTE, it yields big returns for the local community. For example, in Salt Lake City, for every $ 1 put into CTE programs at Salt Lake Community College there will be a return of $ 4.30 to the community. Wisconsins technical colleges return a public benefit of $ 10.65 for every $ 1 invested and fully paid back their annual public funding after 2.2 years. For every public $ 1 invested in Connecticut Community Colleges, it returns $ 16.40 over the course of the students careers. The states economy annually receives roughly $ 5 billion in income from the colleges and their students.
CTE programs are revitalizing communities by spurring cooperation and innovation between high schools and postsecondary institutions, as well as with the business community, to ensure that programs are being created quickly and efficiently to prepare students and adults for high-wage, high-skill, high-demand career fields such as STEM disciplines, nursing, allied health, information technology, and energy sustainability.
As the Obama Administration works on its Fiscal Year 2011 budget, ACTE, NASDCTEc, and CTSOs would like policymakers, educators and parents to understand the critical role CTE plays in preparing students for careers and college through structured, integrated programs of leadership, character development and service.
Starting next month, the organizations will educate communities about how CTE is helping students enter and make strides toward challenging career fields through education. February is National Career and Technical Education Month (CTE Month), and this years theme is Invest in Your Future, which focuses on how CTE programs are preparing students to be competitive in todays global economy. For more information on CTE Month and the activities ACTE, NASDCTEc and the CTSOs are hosting, please visit http://www.acteonline.org/ctemonth.aspx.
About BPA
Business Professionals of America is a national co-curricular career and technical organization for high school, college and middle school students preparing for careers in business and information technology.
BPA serves over 50,000 members in 22 states. The mission of Business Professionals of America is to contribute to the preparation of a world-class workforce through the advancement of leadership, citizenship, academic, and technological skills. Business Professionals of America is committed to developing the best possible career and technical education organization for students in the United States. Please visit http://www.bpa.org.
About DECA Inc.
DECA prepares leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges across the globe. The only business-focused student organization in all 50 states, DECA enhances the co-curricular education of members through its comprehensive learning program that integrates into classroom instruction, applies learning, connects to business and promotes competition. DECAs activities assist in the development of academically prepared, community oriented, professionally responsible, experienced leaders. DECA Inc. is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit student organization with over 200,000 members in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, Korea, Canada, Mexico and Germany. The United States Congress, The United States Department of Education and state, district and international departments of education authorize DECAs programs. For more information, visit http://www.deca.org.
About FBLA-Phi Beta Lambda
Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c) (3) student business organization with more than a quarter million members and advisers in 6,000 middle schools, high schools, and college chapters worldwide. Its mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. The association is headquartered in Reston, Virginia outside Washington, DC. For more information, visit http://www.fbla-pbl.org.
About FCCLA: The Ultimate Leadership Experience
Is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address important personal, family, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education. FCCLA has more than 220,000 members and nearly 7,000 chapters from 50 state associations and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The organization has involved more than ten million youth since its founding in 1945. FCCLA is unique among youth organizations because its programs are planned and run by student members. It is the only Career and Technical Student Organization with the family as its central focus. Participation in national programs and chapter activities helps members become strong leaders in their families, careers, and communities. For more information, visit http://www.fcclainc.org
About HOSA
HOSA
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