Career and technical education (CTE) programs are doing something right – just look at the data. The graduation rate for CTE students is more than 90 percent, nearly 15 percentage points higher than the rate for students overall.
CTE classes tend to focus on real-world, project-based learning and skill-based instruction that help prepare students for jobs. These kinds of learning experiences can also help students do better academically. As the skill level required for many jobs rises and schools turn to the Common Core State Standards that emphasize critical thinking, the CTE approach may offer lessons for preparing all students for post-secondary success, no matter whether they are headed for the workforce or higher education.
CTE teachers play a critical role in their students’ success, but are often overlooked by policymakers. According to a special report from AIR’s Center on Great Teachers and Leaders (GTL Center), federal and state education reforms, such as the Common Core State Standards, new teacher evaluation standards, and ESEA flexibility give short shrift to direct supports for CTE teachers.
Join the GTL Center for a free webinar today from 2 to 3:30 p.m. ET that will cover key findings in the report, 21st Century Educators: Developing and Supporting Great Career and Technical Education Teachers, and real-life policy efforts on induction programs and student-learning-objective approaches for CTE teachers. State education agency staff members from Oklahoma, New Jersey, and Missouri will present.
Register now for the free webinar.