A Catalog Of Career And Technology Courses

An estimated 30% of California's entering 9th graders do not finish high school. In L.A. County the dropout rate, estimated at 55%, is higher than the graduation rate. The current focus on career tech. ed. (CTE) is a measure of the intensity of the search for solutions. CTE -- with its real world relevance and project-based learning -- is a way to engage students in education that is different than a purely academic approach. This study of CTE found encouraging evidence that CTE -- in its modern, academically demanding form -- can deliver an alternative approach to learning that can keep students engaged, help improve grade point averages and prepare students for both the work world and higher education. Illustrations.

All teachers--including career and technical education (CTE) teachers--play a vital role in building a thriving PLC. In this practical resource, the authors explicitly outline how to improve teaching and learning by integrating PLC best practices into CTE programs. Teams of CTE educators will learn how to clarify their purpose, discover their common denominators, and incorporate powerful collaborative processes into their daily work. Use this resource to learn the vital strategies necessary for building and improving teams: Become familiar with the common issues that prevent CTE educators from engaging in the collaborative PLC process. Learn why and how the PLC process benefits both CTE educators and students. Learn how CTE educators can create collaborative programs that are tailored toward CTE fields of study. Receive professional guidance and concrete, achievable teaching strategies for creating an effective PLC process. Access a checklist of crucial action steps for career tech teams at the end of each chapter. Contents: Introduction Chapter 1: Establishing a Collaborative Culture Chapter 2: Forming Collaborative Teams Chapter 3: Setting Up the Logistics of Teamwork Chapter 4: Identifying Essential Learnings and Developing CTE Curriculum Chapter 5: Designing Instruction and Assessments Chapter 6: Reflecting on Data Chapter 7: Responding to Student Learning Epilogue: Turning Parking Spaces Into Rest Spaces Appendix A: Glossary of Terms Appendix B: Reproducibles

Dr. Gordon was the first scholar/educator to publish a relevant, up-to-date synthesis of the history, philosophy, legislation, and organizational/curricular structure of career and technical education. The fourth edition features comprehensive background and research on such topics as evolving employer expectations, special-needs populations, land-grant institutions, teacher shortages and alternative certification, CTSOs, and an historical overview of influential leaders and their impact on CTE curriculum development. Pre-service teachers as well as experienced CTE teachers will appreciate this well-documented road map of CTE.

Current data indicates 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. Matching employability skills with workforce demand has been an issue among industries across the nation. CTE provides relevant academic and technical coursework leading to industry-recognized credentials for secondary, postsecondary, and adult learners. Further, CTE affords students the opportunity to gain the knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to secure careers in growing, high-demand fields. The National Career Clusters[TM] Framework provides a vital structure for organizing and delivering quality CTE programs through comprehensive programs of study. In total, there are 16 Career Clusters[TM] in the Framework, representing more than 79 Career Pathways to help students navigate their way to greater success in college and career. Based on research that analyzes market needs in relation to the 16 Career Clusters[TM], the lists presented in this paper identify the Career Clusters[TM] that are expected to experience the fastest growth by 2018, and the Career Clusters[TM] projected to have the largest total employment by 2018. Many CTE programs maintain alignment of their courses to labor market demands by staying attuned to the needs of local businesses and industries. CTE helps students attain high-demand skills, preparing them for postsecondary education and increasing their future labor market competitiveness. Labor market projections, such as those shown in this brief, can aid CTE educators and other stakeholders as they work to prepare students for postsecondary education and careers. (Contains 4 endnotes.).

Serves as a how-to manual for teachers, school and district administrators, curriculum specialists, and school boards in developing standards-based career technical education (CTE) pathways, courses, curricula, and assessments. For use in middle schools, high schools, regional occupational centers and programs, and adult education programs. Provides students with rigor and relevance in both academic and CTE knowledge and skills for success in postsecondary education and employment. Students are instructed in responsibility; learn what is required to get and keep a job; receive information about and gain experience in careers of interest so they can make informed choices in education and careers.

Editor Cynthia A. Bily has compiled sixteen compelling essays that explore the issues surrounding career and technical education. Readers will evaluate several issues, including whether low-income and minority students are being squeezed out of higher education and whether the government should increase support for community colleges. Essay sources include the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium, Barack Obama, and Dana Goldstein.

This volume examines STEM education, preparation, and career exploration--and the role of career and technical education (CTE) in preparing individuals for the STEM workforce. Highlighting avenues for success and exemplary practices, the volume covers topics such as: 1) Incorporating experiential learning activities for students in CTE-STEM programs, 2) Providing avenues and effective strategies for closing the skills gap for students in CTE-STEM through funding and evaluation and assessment activities, 3) Highlighting the experiences of women in CTE-STEM related programs, and 4) Implications for policy and practice. This is the 178th volume of this Jossey-Bass quarterly report series. Essential to the professional libraries of presidents, vice presidents, deans, and other leaders in today's open-door institutions, New Directions for Community Colleges provides expert guidance in meeting the challenges of their distinctive and expanding educational mission.