Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear signed an executive order this week that would streamline all Career Technical Education (CTE) programs under the Kentucky Department of Education. The move was intended to organize the education system, encourage consistency and address the needs of employers quickly, according to a Lexington Herald-Leader article.
Prior to the executive order, high schools operated CTE programs using local and state funds and reported to the Kentucky Department of Education. However, the state also had 53 technical centers for 123 school districts that reported to the Department for Workforce Investment, according to the article.
Dale Winkler, Executive Director of the Office of Career and Technical Education, said the change will help streamline the programs, which had different curricula and more efficiently work with employers who provide support.
“Industry has really been behind this,” said Winkler, in the article. “Before, they had to go and address two different audiences if they needed to make changes.”
Also, under the order, a committee of educators, employers and other experts will be selected to advise on the program curriculum and career pathways. About 75 percent of Kentucky high school students received some form of technical career education last year.
Erin Uy, Communications & Marketing Manager