Career Technical Education (CTE) has become a top priority in education policy – receiving recognition from governors and members of Congress – because of its relevance to local, state, and national economies.
The Education Commission of the States (ECS), a group that facilitates the exchange of information among state policymakers and education leaders, released this month an issue brief describing how states are depending on CTE to address many issues – such as the skills gap and alignment of education with labor market needs – and what states are doing to incentivize the use of CTE. Some incentives include:
- “Carrot†policies to encourage high school students to earn CTE credentials or to perform well on WorkKeys
- “Stick†policies for schools and districts to ensure that CTE students are progressing toward career readiness
- Development of supports for students at risk of falling short of career readiness
The report also draws attention to the integration of academic and technical courses and content through the Common Core State Standards and the reframing of dual enrollment programs to include CTE.
View the ECS issue brief here.
Kara Herbertson, Research and Policy Manager