NCLB regulations, new knowledge about international competition in the workplace,
and the flattening of our world have all had a drastic effect on the face of education
in our country as a whole and in New York State in particular. Education is changing
and educators need to be ahead of the curve and ready to change with it.

As members of the Association of Career and Technical Education Administrators
(ACTEA), we know firsthand the powerful effect that this type of education can
have on student’s lives. It is time we use this knowledge and the strength of our
organizational structure to advise educational policy in New York State.
ACTEA is uniquely positioned to promote CTE’s valuable learning outcomes and
to advocate for CTE’s vital role as a tool for educational reform.

The ACTEA Executive Committee has been on the move, putting a year’s worth
of effort into futuring and strategic planning about the specific role of career and
technical education in the greater context of closing the achievement gap,
attainment of 21st century skills and P-16 educational reform.