Issue Briefs & Papers
Reflect, Transform, Lead: A New Vision for Career Technical Education
This five-part series dedicates an issue brief to each of NASDCTEc’s core principles for CTE:
The following issue briefs and papers cover a range of topical issues that are important to education, the economy, and CTE in America. To view/download the full document, please click on the title.
Jobs and the Economy
This data sheet details the Career Clusters in which high school and postsecondary CTE students are choosing to concentrate. The paper also shows the top five areas of the labor market by Career Cluster that are projected to be the largest and fastest growing by 2018. These data indicate that Career Technical Education (CTE) graduates with high school diplomas or postsecondary skills are preparing for careers in fields that are growing or in high-demand.
This issue brief explores ways that adult workers can best be positioned to succeed in rewarding careers in high-demand fields through CTE. It also describes Career Clusters that are projected to be in high-demand through 2018. Programs from Oklahoma and Ohio are featured.
This paper describes the fifth, and last, core principle of NASDCTEc's vision: CTE is a results-driven system that demonstrates a positive return on investment (ROI). The brief includes examples of ROI for CTE and general education based on analyses from national organizations and states. Due to limitations such as lack of statewide longitudinal data, though, many states struggle to complete ROI analyses. Visit the "webinar" section of the website to listen to the corresponding webinar and to learn about the options states have for showing the benefits of CTE without conducting a full ROI analysis.
This paper describes the second core principle of NASDCTEc’s vision: CTE actively partners with employers to design and provide high-quality, dynamic programs. CTE provides rigorous academic and skills training to meet the expanding needs of business and industry. Two exemplary education-employer partnerships are featured: Northern Virginia Community College and State Farm Insurance.
This paper describes the first core principle of NASDCTEc’s vision: CTE is critical to ensuring that the United States leads in global competitiveness. According to several measures of global competitiveness, the ranking of the United States continues to decline. However, several states stand out as leaders in connecting education and economic development to increase America’s status. This brief highlights the accomplishments of Alabama and South Carolina in using CTE to attract and retain international businesses.
Oklahoma, Washington and Tennessee are featured for their states’ successful implementation of CTE return on investment studies.
While often discussed, “green jobs” can refer to a variety of occupations including: wind energy technicians, recycling director, sustainable agriculture specialist, and many more. This document describes our current concept of green jobs, and how green jobs and CTE overlap at the secondary and postsecondary levels.
This NASDCTEc and ACTE publication points out the differences between traditional vocational education and career technical education. Several benefits of CTE are examined including: dropout prevention, career prospects, 21st century occupations, and transitions for the unemployed.
High School Improvement
(part one in a three-part series)
This paper presents a school example from a rural area. The featured school meets at least one of four Race to the Top priority areas.(part two in a three-part series)
This paper presents a school example from an urban area. The featured school meets at least one of four Race to the Top priority areas.(part three in a three-part series)
This paper presents a school example from a suburban area. The featured school meets at least one of four Race to the Top priority areas.
Standards and Education
This paper describes the fourth core principle of the new vision for CTE: CTE is delivered through comprehensive programs of study aligned to the National Career Clusters Framework. This brief highlights the efforts of Arizona and Georgia to craft state policy and practice that will help implement effective programs of study aligned to the National Career Clusters Framework.
This paper describes the third core principle of NASDCTEc’s vision: CTE prepares students to succeed in further education and careers. While the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) provide a thoughtful framework for academic coursework, the standards do not fully address the critical “career” component of a student’s overall experience. To thoroughly prepare students for college and career, schools must integrate or align technical standards with the CCSS. This brief highlights the efforts of Kansas and Cisco to integrate CTE activities and skill requirements into the CCSS.
The Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI) is an effort promoted by the National Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) to lead states in developing and implementing a common set of robust standards. Learn more about the standards as of May 2011 and read frequently asked questions.
Perkins IV gives recipients the opportunity to create a “reserve fund” to be used for new and innovative programs. This publication provides more details on the use of reserve funds. State examples from Tennessee, Maine, Maryland, South Dakota, and Kansas are included.
Adult Career Pathways integrate multiple levels of education with postsecondary CTE certificate and associate degree programs. This document defines adult career pathways, describes benefits of the pathways, and presents four program examples.
Dual enrollment programs allow high school juniors and seniors to take college courses and earn college credits. This handout explains dual enrollment, its benefits, and its relationship with CTE. Three sample dual enrollment programs are described.
This issue brief describes several factors that contribute to CTE teacher shortages and provides recommendations for improvement. State examples from Oregon, Alabama, and California are included.
School counselors play an integral role in guiding CTE students from secondary to postsecondary education or into the workforce. This brief highlights Missouri, Nebraska, and Utah for their effective models of CTE and guidance counselor collaboration.
