CTE: Education and Workforce Challenges

Janet B. Bray, CAEExecutive DirectorAssociation for Career and Technical Education

Global Competition The 25% of the population in China with the highest

IQ’s is greater than the total population of North America

In India, it’s the top 28%

In 2002, 59% of all degrees awarded in China were in engineering and physical science

In the United States it was 32%

China has more honors kids than we have kids

Asia Rising: China and Industry world’s largest economy

Emerging Labor Market

The top 10 in-demand jobs predicted for 2010 didn’t exist in 2004

90% of the fastest-growing jobs will require an education beyond high school

49 of 50 highest paying occupations require a college degree or higher

Over the past 10 years, jobs requiring science and engineering skills increased 51%

U.S. Demographics Over 24 million people are expected to leave the

labor force by 2010

By 2008, it is expected that 10 million more jobs will be available than workers to fill them

Between 2010 and 2025, up to 95 million Baby Boomers will leave the U.S. workforce or change work focus

Only 40 million Gen X’ers and Y’ers will be available to replace them

The replacement workers lack the skills and competencies of the retirees.

U.S. Workforce Challenges

In a survey of US manufacturers, 90% of employers reported moderate to sever shortages of skilled workers

Over 300,000 skilled IT jobs have gone unfilled over the last decade because on no qualified applicants

Wish list of skills required to meet future needs

Technical skills

Strong computer skills

U.S. Education Challenge The U.S. high school graduation rate is 17th

internationally – with a 73% graduation rate

One third of all high school students don’t graduate on time

The U.S. college graduation rate is 14th internationally – with a 66% graduation rate

Among people 18-24, the U.S. ranks 5th internationally in college enrollment with 35% of people attending college

U.S. Education Challenge

In urban school districts 50-60% of students drop out of high school

Up to 55% of college freshmen must enroll in remedial courses in reading, writing and mathematics

One in four freshman at 4 year colleges fail to return to school for a sophomore year

One in two freshman in community colleges fail to return

U.S. Education Challenge

93% US teens 12-17 used Internet in 2006

64% created content on Internet – up from 57% in 2004

Social networking Sites

Students Disengaged

Workforce Readiness

Over 400 employers surveyed rated the workforce readiness of new workforce entrants as deficient

42% of high school grad & GED

11% of two-yr college grads

9% of four-yr college grads

The Role of CTE CTE should serve three purposes at the high school

level:

Support students in the acquisition of rigorous core knowledge, skills, habits and attitudes needed for success in postsecondary education and the high-skilled workplace;

Engage students in specific career-related learning experiences that equip them to make well-informed decisions about further education and training and employment opportunities; and,

Prepare students who may choose to enter the workforce directly after high school with a level of skills and knowledge in a particular career area that will be valued in the marketplace.

CTE Addressing Needs

CTE concentrators participated in more rigorous academic coursework and are taking more and higher level math and science.

A year of technically oriented coursework at a community college increased the earnings of men by 14% and women by 29%.

A ratio of 1 CTE class for every 2 academic classes was shown to minimize the risk of students dropping out.

CTE concentrators were more likely than their general peers to obtain a degree or certificate within 2 years.

PERKINS AND CTE IS LEADING THE WAY!

CTE Addressing Needs

CTE Addressing Needs

Every individual will be part of the workforce at some time in their life. CTE prepares them for this time!

Without CTE, the infrastructure of the US economy will fall apart!

Improved integration of academic and CTE instruction

Focus on high skill, high wage, high demand occupations

Increased emphasis on achievement of a degree, certificate or credential

Change does not mean the past was wrong…..

The world is different today and will be different tomorrow!

CTE Improvements

ACTE is advocating for clearly focusing American high schools on the goal of preparing EVERY student for full participation in a spectrum of college opportunities, meaningful work, career advancement, and active citizenship.

Recommendations for Change

ISSUES and CHALLENGES

Teacher/Administrator Shortages Anticipated scope of retirements Fewer teacher education programs Recruitment and retention Defining “highly qualified” CTE teacher

Integration of Academics What is integration? Alignment of CTE content with academic content Teacher qualifications – who teaches?

STEM Agenda

Career Clusters Initiative

Accountability Requirements Evaluating effectiveness of CTE Dropout prevention/recovery 21st Century Skills Assessment Aligning with NCLB accountability Differentiating CTE students in the workplace Following students beyond high school

ISSUES and CHALLENGES

ACTE Resources

Issue Briefs

Position Papers

Promising Programs and Practices Web page

Research Clearinghouse Web page

Research Guide

Action Alerts

State Profiles

In Conclusion… It will be a tragic miscalculation to pit academic course-

taking against access to rigorous career-oriented and interest-based programs. Students need to be taught in a way that is rigorous, relevant to their areas of personal interest and career aspirations, and that creates a supportive environment of relationships.

None of the proposed redesign functions will work unless there is a sense of shared accountability at the school level for raising the performance of every student.

Creating a positive high school environment that emphasizes rigor, relevance, and relationships requires a talented and committed leadership team!

Contact Us

Association for Career and Technical Education1410 King Street

Alexandria, VA 22314(800) 826-9972 or

(703) 683-3111www.acteonline.org