Your Subtitle text
Memorandum of Support
The Association for Career and Technical Education Administrators (ACTEA), in a collaborative partnership with representatives from Business and Industry, members of NYSACTE, and additional supporters of CTE applaud the New York Board of Regents for their interest in considering CTE Pathways as one of the primary ingredients of school reform. Stakeholders from across the state have demonstrated a resounding interest in expanding Career and Technical Education at the secondary level. The businesses, individuals, postsecondary agencies, CTE organizations, and other community stakeholders identified below strongly encourage the Board of Regents to make Career and Technical Education as an essential component in ongoing school improvement initiatives. - Students participating in CTE programs develop essential workplace skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, effective communication, team participation, and a strong work ethic.
- Nationwide demand for skilled workers is increasing, while educational attainment levels of American workers is declining, resulting in rising numbers of skilled job vacancies.
- The workforce development initiatives and economic growth of our nation are absolutely dependent upon quality Career and Technical Education programs at both the secondary and postsecondary level.
- Employment projections reveal that the majority of jobs will require a high school degree, associate’s degree or industry recognized credential.
- Students earning industry credentials or other certificates of competency while in high school have greater opportunities for gainful employment during their lifetime.
- Data analysis clearly indicates the positive impact of CTE on improving student retention and completion rates at the secondary level.
- Regents exam performances are higher for students exposed to integrated courses requiring them to apply their knowledge in the context of a career interest area.
- Providing students with work-based learning experience greatly enhances their career awareness prior to college enrollment
- Employment opportunities improve significantly following high school graduation for students who have participated in CTE.
- Students benefit from partnerships with postsecondary agencies and pursue degrees specific to their career interest areas, generally resulting in employment within their chosen career pathway upon graduation.
