Each February, schools across the United States celebrate Career and Technical Education (CTE) Awareness month. Established by the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), this designation provides an opportunity for schools to educate students and families on the opportunities in CTE pathways, celebrate successes of students and partners, and raise awareness throughout the community on the importance for all students to engage with programs that elevate their academic skills, professional preparation, and provide readiness for post-secondary success. 

The celebration of students earning professional certifications in fields as diverse as culinary arts, HVAC installation and repair, healthcare services, information technology, and finance show the growth of CTE beyond the 20th Century options of shop or home economics classes. In many districts, CTE has matured from stand-alone courses to pathways consisting of a series of courses that develop students from novices to hiring ready upon program completion. Unfortunately, too many students, families, and even educators still perceive CTE as an alternative to academic coursework. This negative bias fails to recognize that today’s CTE applies and develops academic skills through relevant hands-on activities and direct applications at an intellectual level commensurate with “college going” coursework. And, whether a high school graduate directly enters the professional workforce or undertakes higher education options before entering the workforce, all graduates will enter the workforce and be expected to be able to apply their learning. CTE is where students gain experiences in skill development and application tied to economic opportunities that are transferable to any field of employment. 

Many states are now requiring some form of professional certification or CTE credits for high school graduation. This is reflective of the belief that K-12 education is the prerequisite of civic and economic life as an adult. CTE pathway participation is emerging not as an alternative to academic preparation, but as the necessary extension of learning for postsecondary success. In short, CTE is for every student. Schools and districts can and should use CTE Awareness Month to shed a spotlight on the incredible programs happening in their schools, recognize the value they offer to the community, and consider other ways to expand this kind of learning to more students. During this month, remember to note:

• CTE often allows for some of the most innovative, hands-on, and project-based learning. In today’s schools and districts, CTE pathways and courses are housing some of the most innovative, experiential learning that students can access during their K-12 journey. Because of this, CTE is powerful for all students––including students at all grade and achievement levels. From educating elementary students in the breadth of ways that adults earn a living to having middle school students map their passions onto career areas to having high school students obtain a well-rounded diploma with professional certifications, there are activities for every grade level. And within each career cluster there are multiple entry points for students with high achievement and higher education ambitions and those looking to join the workforce immediately at an entry level position.

• CTE is fundamentally tied to the core mission of school districts. Education is an investment of time, effort, and resources that society makes today that is intended to yield benefits for many years to come. Over the past decade, many states have formalized this commitment in graduation requirements and school and district accountability systems. States that grade schools and districts are rewarding schools that are providing CTE pathways for students, and communities are taking notice of districts that provide pathways tying students to local economic opportunities.

• CTE helps maintain relationships with district alumni. While many schools will display the colleges that graduated seniors have chosen to attend, a commonly missed opportunity is to highlight the breadth of employment that graduates have engaged in regardless of class rank.  Seeing recent graduates in medical fields, marketing, skilled trades, and the whole array of positions alumni have pursued is inspiring to all students. Bringing those alumni in to talk with students cultivates benefits for alumni, the current students, and the school.

• CTE connects schools to the business community and supports the local economy. CTE programs can be a vital component of workforce development efforts within a given community. Tying CTE pathways to local economic needs and successes benefits both current students and local businesses. Local companies can provide unmatched opportunities for internships and mentoring and students graduating from CTE programs result in businesses having high-quality employees with relevant training and certifications. These channels create mutual investment and support in local schools and student success. 

Schools and districts can find resources for championing CTE Awareness Month from a wide variety of organizations including ACTE, Advance CTE, state departments of education (e.g., NC, ND, NY), and industry-specific organizations (e.g. healthcare, home builders. CTE Awareness Month is a wonderful opportunity to highlight all of the ways students can take part in learning that will both interest them today and prepare them for tomorrow. Happy CTE Awareness Month to All!