What Is CTE?
This fact sheet provides an overview of the CTE system and its impact on student achievement and the economy. Use it to introduce policymakers or other education stakeholders who may not be familiar with our positive results.
CTE for a Strong Economy
Now more than ever, CTE programs are needed to help ensure the strength of our workforce, global competitiveness and the economic health of our nation. This fact sheet explores the changes that have taken place in CTE in recent years, and its benefits to students and the economy. Use it to help introduce CTE to those unfamiliar with today's programs.
Investing in Career and Technical Education Yields Big Returns
With nearly 16 million students taking CTE courses at the secondary and postsecondary levels, the economic impact CTE can have locally, statewide and nationally is enormous. In recent years, the concept of "return on investment" has become increasingly popular for measuring this impact. This fact sheet contains statistics from return-on-investment research that has been conducted on CTE programs across the country. Use it to show policymakers how investments in CTE will pay off for your community and state in these difficult economic times.
Research Demonstrates the Value of Career and Technical Education
This fact sheet provides an overview of relevant CTE research across broad, outcome-based themes. Areas of focus include CTE's impact on students' academic achievement, earnings and employment outcomes, dropout rates and absenteeism, and postsecondary success. It also includes general CTE statistics related to enrollment and a section on occupational outlook.
Issue Sheet: CTE's Role in Worker Retraining
This fact sheet provides a summary of ACTE's Issue Brief on the same topic and includes concrete policy actions needed. It explores the essential role that CTE programs play in addressing many of the issues faced by unemployed and underemployed workers. These programs target the adult learner through short-term and accelerated courses; utilize flexible learning approaches to account for students’ other responsibilities; include wraparound support services to increase student success; and concentrate on high-demand career areas to ensure students are prepared for jobs that exist in local economies.
Issue Sheet: CTE's Role in Energy and Environmental Sustainabilty
This fact sheet provides a summary of ACTE's Issue Brief on the same topic and includes concrete policy actions needed. It explores the growing role CTE programs play in efforts to increase energy and environmental sustainability. CTE offers early exposure to students regarding sustainable-energy career options through curriculum integration, provides the cutting-edge training necessary to ensure future employees meet workforce pipeline needs, and sets an example through state-of-the-art green buildings that become part of the curriculum.
Issue Sheet: CTE's Role in Dropout Prevention
This fact sheet provides a summary of portions of ACTE's Issue Brief "CTE's Role in Dropout Prevention and Recovery" and includes concrete policy actions needed. It explores the critical role that CTE plays in dropout prevention and in helping more students persist in and complete high school through increasing student engagement and building positive relationships.