Integration of Academics and Career and Technical Education Section
Announcement: Merger of ACTE NRS Tech Prep Section with the Integration of Academics and Career and Technical Education (IACTE) Section
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is pleased to announce the merger of the ACTE NRS Tech Prep Section into the Integration of Academics and Career and Technical Education (IACTE) Section.
The Tech Prep Section has long served career and technical education members working in Tech Prep programming, originally introduced by the federal government to help schools integrate technical and career skills into high school programs. While no federally funded Tech Prep programs have existed since 2008 outside of state education and workforce departments, Tech Prep members continue to play a vital role in integrating academic and technical career-building skills into classroom instruction.
To better align with ACTE’s current structure and ensure Tech Prep members have access to the strongest possible professional community, Tech Prep section members will now be welcomed into the IACTE Section. This decision has been approved by the IACTE leadership team.
Benefits of the Merger:
- Tech Prep members will gain immediate access to the IACTE Section’s vast support network and resources.
- Through initiatives such as the section’s successful publication Synergizing Success, members will benefit from the strong organization, professionalism, and advocacy of IACTE’s thriving community.
Member Feedback:
In Summer 2024, ACTE conducted a diagnostic survey of Tech Prep members. The results showed strong support for this merger, with members voting in favor of joining the IACTE Section. No concerns or objections were raised.
We are confident this change will strengthen opportunities for collaboration, advocacy, and professional growth for all members. We look forward to welcoming Tech Prep members into the IACTE Section and continuing to support their important work in career and technical education.
What is “Academic Integration”?
- Supports CTE students developing the capacity for sustainable life-long learning (Learning, Earning and Living).
- Is the application of academic knowledge within the mastery of technical skills and the elevation of academic fluency through real world CTE projects.
Effective Academic Integration
- Requires the CTE teacher as well as the academic teacher to collaboratively create engaging instruction aligned with technical and academic standards.
This section focuses on identifying opportunities to instruct core standards, aligning academic skills with industry demands, and embedding opportunities to current CTE practices.
Virtual Collaborations/Professional Development
The Integration of Academics and CTE membership section has created a virtual collaboration group in ACTE’s professional learning portal, CTE Learn. This public group is an online community in the free resource Career Ed Lounge to share ideas, pose questions, describe effective practices, and share links to resources in the efforts to integrate academics and CTE. We encourage everyone to post questions and respond to others’ ideas as professional collaboration. Here is the link to join the group. If you are not already registered with CTE Learn, you will need to sign up and register as a member of the CTE Learn community.
State Academic Integration Highlights
ACTE VISION Academic Integration Workshop, November 30, 2022
Resource Section
Synergizing Success: Academic and Career Integration in CTE
This Guide is a must-read for everyone involved in what the promise and potential of education in the 21st century is. With the trend towards relevant and career directed learning, incorporating real-world experiences into the academic curriculum allows students to gain practical skills and insights that can shape their academic and career paths. Purchase book.
For more information contact:
Michael P. Moriarty, NBCT
actenrsintegration@gmail.com
