About Career and Technical Education

MISSION AND PURPOSE

The mission of Career and Technical Education (CTE) is to empower all students to be successful citizens, workers and leaders in a global economy. CTE gives purpose to learning by emphasizing real-world skills and practical knowledge. Programs in Career and Technical Education are designed to contribute to the broad educational achievement of students, including basic skills such as reading, writing, and mathematics, as well as their ability to work independently and as part of a team, think creatively, solve problems, and utilize technology. These tools and experiences make school more relevant, and ensure students are ready for the real world. Whether students plan to further their education in community colleges, technical schools, four-year colleges and universities, receive on-the-job training, or pursue careers in the military, CTE can be the first step in a pathway toward productive employment and citizenship.

CTE Delivers for students:

Real options for students for college and rewarding careers

  • CTE programs allow students to explore a range of options for their future - inside and outside of the classroom.

  • Through CTE, students can start their path toward a career that they are passionate about, while earning valuable experience, college credits and more.

  • CTE students are more likely to have a post-high school plan - including college - than other students; just 2% of CTE students say they "don't know" what they will do after high school.

Real-world skills for students

  • CTE is a unique opportunity for hands on learning - putting students at the center of the action.

  • CTE provides the skills and confidence students need to pursue career options, discover their passions and get on a path to success.

  • Students in CTE programs and their parents are three times as likely to report they are "very satisfied" with their and their children's ability to learn real-world skills as part of their current education compared to parents and students not involved in CTE.

Real middle and high school experience with more value for students

  • CTE programs are a part of middle and high school - students can participate in CTE and the other activities they enjoy, such as sports, the arts or whatever else their friends are doing.

  • CTE takes students even further during their high school experience - providing opportunities for specialized classes, internships, and networking with members of the community.

  • Students in CTE programs and their parents are twice as likely to report they are "very satisfied" with their high school education experience compared to prospective CTE students and their parents.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Career Development is an organized planning method used to lead a person with individual career goals in the right direction. Exploration most often starts the process, but formulating a Career Development Plan can help an individual achieve specific goals efficiently. The Career & Technical Education Facilitator can assist an individual/student with creating those goals through taking an online career assessment and/or learning style inventory.

SPECIAL POPULATIONS

Within the student body, many individuals have needs that go beyond needing a pair of corrective glasses to see the board in front of the room or gaining access to modified curriculum. The CTE Facilitator serves as an advocate for students with special needs in the Career & Technical Education classroom. The facilitator helps students with over all course and testing accommodations and modifications on exams and classroom work. In addition to helping the student be successful, the facilitator assists the teacher in making sure they have curriculum resources needed to teach.

CTE Central Office Webpage: https://www.nhcs.net/divisions/instruction-and-academic-accountability/career-technical-education