Career and Technology Education Programs in Texas Public Schools
The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 2006 (reauthorization of Perkins) was signed into law on August 12, 2006. This Act provides an increased focus on academic achievement of career and technical education students, strengthen the connections between secondary and postsecondary education, and improve state and local accountability. Career and Technology Education programs (CTE) provides students with rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in current or emerging professions (Shaw Jr & Pavelock, 2007). Education has industry aspects, comprehensive career and technical education programs which encourage students to develop the technical, academic, employability, and life skills needed for postsecondary education and high skill careers. Career and Technology Student Organizations (CTSOs) are the organizations for students enrolled in a career and technical education program. These organizations contribute to enhanced self-esteem and self-confidence; motivates youth to become betters students and productive citizens and links school-based learning with real world work and family. Many educators indicate that CTSOs are a high priority due to their focus on real-world skills and the organizations are effective in developing students’ leadership skills and other positive outcomes.
Career and technical education courses in public high schools account for nearly one-fifth of all credits accumulated by students. These programs are offered in nearly all public high schools which employ about 100,000 CTE teachers serving over one million students. The skills acquired from CTE courses offer students their first experiences in the development of entry-level job related skills. Students participating in CTE have an advantage in the new economy with over 60 percent of jobs are classified as skilled occupations and 20 percent are
Career and technical education courses in public high schools account for nearly one-fifth of all credits accumulated by students. These programs are offered in nearly all public high schools which employ about 100,000 CTE teachers serving over one million students. The skills acquired from CTE courses offer students their first experiences in the development of entry-level job related skills. Students participating in CTE have an advantage in the new economy with over 60 percent of jobs are classified as skilled occupations and 20 percent are
Cited: Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, 109-270 (August 12, 2006). Agency, T. E. (n.d.). A Best Practices Guide for Educators and Local Partners: Big Ideas for Building Local College and Career Initiatives. Achieve Texas in Action . Texas: TEA. North Lake College, D. (2010/2011). Texas Career Clusters. Retrieved from Texas Career Clusters Project: 2010-2011: http://txcareerclusters.org/ Shaw Jr, B. F., & Pavelock, D. (2007). An Evaluation of Texas and Technology Education Programs funded under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act. Huntsville: Region VI Education Service Center. Terry, B. D. (2009). Testimony before the House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, and Workforce. Texas Public Policy Foundation, 1. Ullrich, D. R., Pavelock, D., Fazarro, D., & Shaw, B. (2007). Effectiveness of Career and Technology Student Organizations (CTSOs) in Texas. Online Journal of Workforce Education and Development, 1-11.