POTENTIAL NEW DIRECTION 7

Creating a Statewide Campaign to Provide Information to Students and Parents Regarding Career and Technical Education at the Secondary and Postsecondary Levels

It has been said that students at the secondary level and their parents lack up-to-date and accurate information about Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities at both the secondary and postsecondary levels. This lack of information can lead students and parents to incorrectly conclude that participation in CTE programs at the secondary level is a route that lacks rigorous academic preparation, may detract from a student’s ability to meet Regents graduation requirements, and may limit postsecondary opportunities. Students and parents are likely not to be fully aware of the new standards that have been implemented through approved CTE programs, and of efforts underway to promote transitions to postsecondary education (e.g., by allowing students to earn college credit while still in high school), and to ensure that CTE programs address high-skill, high-wage, high-demand occupations in current and emerging professions. A statewide campaign, building upon the successful Career Zone program, could correct misconceptions about CTE and could lead to additional numbers of students taking advantage of secondary and postsecondary CTE opportunities. This activity potentially could be supported with state-level Leadership funds available under Perkins IV. It may be possible to link those state-level Leadership funds with related funding available through the State Department of Labor.

The State Education Department is soliciting advice on including this potential direction in the Perkins IV Five-Year State Plan.