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This position paper provides policy recommendations for developing adequately funded and integrated CTE programs that can be used to address the achievement gap and dropout crisis. ACSA asserts that quality career technical education should be a critical component of comprehensive academic programs because it exposes students to careers while providing a connection between academics and the workforce.
Download/view: PDF (75KB)In addition to recommending specific actions for states to take to strengthen the preparation of their career/technical teachers, this report addresses five key questions with respect to recruitment, preparation, induction, and support of career/technical teachers.
Download/view: PDF (137KB)With California gaining access to nearly $400 million in 2007 for career technical education (CTE), the Little Hoover Commission draws on testimony from public hearings, expert advisory committees, and school visits to make recommendations for improving and expanding California’s CTE programs. It recommends evaluating and replicating successful programs, increasing collaboration between educators and industry leaders, and addressing the lack of qualified CTE teachers. The report also outlines evidence that academically challenging CTE increases student engagement, achievement, and employability skills.
Download/view: PDF (717KB)Designed for school board members, this report is a synthesis of the findings of the CSBA’s High School Reform Task Force. Each topic discussed (including accountability, student engagement, curriculum, and students with special needs) provides the connection to board governance, case studies of best practices, and questions for board reflection and discussion. The report concludes that high school reform must reflect needs agreed upon by all stakeholders, be supported through staff training and professional development, and have clear goals and specific measurements of success.
Download/view: PDF (449KB)This report examines California high schools by looking at the experiences and challenges of three groups of students: dropouts, general track, and university track students. It cites findings and related recommendations to the legislature in areas of accountability, information, and flexibility.
Download/view: PDF (973KB)This policy brief suggests that after a decade of focusing on academic programs and college preparation, some forms of Career-Technical Education (CTE)—in which core academics are integrated with occupational coursework—could be expanded into “CTE/multiple pathways” to provide high school students with more than one route to college and careers. Recent evidence demonstrates that CTE/multiple pathways increase students’ motivation, employment, and earnings without adversely affecting their likelihood of taking academic courses, completing high school, or enrolling in college. The brief stresses the importance of providing funding, technical assistance, professional development for teachers and principals, curriculum development, additional work-based learning opportunities, and data to gauge the effectiveness of CTE/multiple pathways reform.
Download/view: PDF (625KB)This policy brief was written in anticipation of the 2007-08 funding increases for California’s career technical education (CTE) programs, the implementation of AB 2448, and the continuing presence of CTE in the Governor’s 2008-09 agenda. With the goal of promoting quality career technical education programs, the brief provides recommended actions in six areas: standards-based curriculum and instruction, teachers and administrators, student support, accountability, community alliances, and funding.
Download/view: PDF (155KB)Intended to be a guide for governors and written with governors’ input, this report examines the causes and consequences of the “leaky education pipeline.” It proposes five specific means by which states can increase secondary and postsecondary achievement and shares examples of how states are already putting these methods into practice.
Download/view: PDF (1.1MB)After a review of the College and Career Transitions Initiative and various definitions of career pathways, this report identifies ways in which states can support students’ academic and labor market success by making connections among high schools, community colleges, 4-year colleges, and the labor market (through legislation, policy, and certification), thereby facilitating students’ and employees’ transitions between education and employment.
Download/view: PDF (175KB)