ALEXANDRIA, VA—The Association for Career and Technical Education commends the president for his commitment detailed in last night’s State of the Union address to train “2 million workers with skills will lead directly to jobs” and for recognizing that community colleges and career and technical education (CTE) programs across the country will be pivotal in providing that training. CTE is the solution to solving the skills gap crisis plaguing the U.S. economy.

ALEXANDRIA, VA—The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium (NASDCTEc) and career and technical student organizations (CTSOs) will celebrate CTE Month in February, highlighting the impact of career and technical education on student success, workforce development and the economy across the country and advocating for an increased CTE presence in secondary and postsecondary programs to ensure American economic prosperity.

The Association for Career and Technical Education announces Cynthia Adams, of Sulphur, Oklahoma, as the winner of ACTE’s Teacher of the Year award. Adams won the national title of 2012 Teacher of the Year, which recognizes educators who have made significant contributions toward innovative, unique and novel programs that are serving to improve and promote career and technical education.

ALEXANDRIA, VA—The Association for Career and Technical Education’s (ACTE) 2011 Annual Convention and Career Tech Expo, held in St. Louis Nov. 17-19, featured more than 250 concurrent sessions and workshops, many featuring career and technical education’s growing role in school improvement.

ALEXANDRIA, VA—The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced today that students from North Shore Senior High School in Houston, Texas, won the 29-second Public Service Announcement contest sponsored by ACTE. The students, Sydnie Hinshaw and Cristian Melendez, developed a PSA that will be used to market CTE Month during February 2012. After being selected by a panel of judges composed of career and technical student organization representatives and other media and marketing professionals, the video was unveiled on Sat., Nov. 19 at the 2011 ACTE Annual Convention in St. Louis, Missouri. This PSA and the second place video are both available for view on the ACTE Web site and on SchoolTube.com, ACTE’s partner for the 2012 PSA Contest.

Alexandria, VA—As Congress considers how best to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, known as No Child Left Behind, Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) and Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) have partnered to introduce important legislation to help more students become college- and career-ready.

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) today launches its annual Video Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest to promote CTE and publicize CTE Month during February 2012. Students are to submit 29-second video PSAs incorporating the 2012 CTE Month theme and logo. The contest is open to secondary and postsecondary career and technical education (CTE) students in film and video production classes and other CTE courses, and students can enter as individuals or as a group. The deadline to enter is Oct. 17, 2011.

Alexandria, VA—President Obama’s announcement of a $447 billion American Jobs Act to help revive the economy provides resources for several important career and technical education initiatives that will support education and skills training needed to get individuals back to work. The president’s plan also provides positive investments to build the backbone of the nation’s education system, a critical component to the nation’s long-term health and stability.

ALEXANDRIA, VA—The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is pleased to announce the creation of the national ACTE Career Guidance Award to recognize school counselors/career development professionals who are currently making significant contributions in career and technical education programs in their communities and/or states.

This national award, sponsored by Kuder Inc., is designed to highlight those school professionals who are responsible for guiding students in their educational and career pursuits. This award will follow the criteria and outline of the Association’s National Excellence Member Awards, meaning potential national winners must first compete at the state and Regional levels.