Career and technical education (CTE) is a bridge that connects the classroom to business and industry. Innovative teaching methods combine traditional academic content with technical and employability skills development. By demonstrating strong support for high-quality CTE, we can all contribute to meeting workforce needs in our local regions.
Empowering Equity
Educational experiences grounded in equity, inclusivity, opportunity, and support are key to fostering engagement among students who have been marginalized, underrepresented, underserved, or underprepared. There are three skills that learners from all backgrounds must develop to build a foundation for the future:
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- Critical Thinking
Learners of all ages must be consistently engaged in critical thinking exercises. We must not give them answers but equip them with tools of inquiry and expression to ask questions and acquire the answers they seek. The “why” is more important than the “what.”Lessons and discussions centered around case studies that showcase diverse scenarios and disciplines provide opportunities for learners to practice data-informed decision-making. Considering different approaches and hypotheses to arrive at multiple conclusions can help to develop strategy, which is valuable for all members of society, particularly those who may suffer from marginalization.
- Critical Thinking
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- Relationship Building
It is of great importance to emphasize the importance of human capital among transition-aged students by providing college- and career-readiness opportunities. Through this work, students develop the ability to build relationships. Teachers should consistently model how to create networks of support for their learning community, both present and future.
- Relationship Building
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- Resiliency Through Flexibility
The better one knows oneself, the better equipped they are to develop a flexible and open mindset. Learners must engage in practices of self-discovery, self-advocacy, self-awareness, and self-empowerment to navigate the world in which we live. High-quality CTE supplements academic and technical skills while providing context for real-world applications.Strategies that may increase CTE completion for students of color include mentorship programs, creating safe and inclusive environments, integrating social and emotional learning, and emphasizing human and social capital development.
- Resiliency Through Flexibility
Strategies for Inclusion
Several inclusive CTE strategies can help students of color reach CTE completion:
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- Embrace a Project-Based Learning (PBL) Approach
Project-based learning integrates real-world scenarios into academic and technical curricula to foster transformative learning experiences.
- Embrace a Project-Based Learning (PBL) Approach
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- Immerse Students in Real-World Problem Solving
Gaining buy-in from students and building problem-solving competencies are key by involving them in solving real-world challenges.
- Immerse Students in Real-World Problem Solving
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- Respond to Local Community Needs
Design curricula that prepare students for the workforce by responding to the needs of the local community. Create opportunities for students to earn industry certifications at no cost to them.
- Respond to Local Community Needs
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- Include Inquiry-Centered Prompts
In the CTE classroom, asking and answering questions will lead to strategic planning, robust conversations, and problem-solving.
- Include Inquiry-Centered Prompts
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- Build Human and Social Capital
Encourage students of color to serve as ambassadors for the CTE program, speaking to broad audiences to market pathways and highlight their successes.
- Build Human and Social Capital
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- Grant Access to the World of Work
Provide job shadowing, site visits, and networking opportunities to help students build professional contacts before they graduate. Teach them how to create and regularly update their resumes.
- Grant Access to the World of Work
Ongoing engagement between industry and education helps align curriculum with new technologies and skills requirements. It also introduces students to potential employers and mitigates unconscious racial biases.
Reflective Practice
Inspire students to understand the benefits of reflective practice. Through reflection, they can authentically assess their prior efforts and discern success versus opportunities for growth. This habit will enable students to approach future activities with intention. Ask the following questions to help students hone critical thinking and problem-solving skills:
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- What about this project was easy?
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- What about it was challenging or difficult?
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- Did I receive the support I needed?
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- What kind of response did I receive from others? How did their responses make me feel?
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- If I had to do it all over again, what would I do differently?
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- Can I envision myself happy doing this every day and earning money from it?
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- What supportive adult do I know who can help guide me toward more learning experiences like this?
Conclusion
This article equips equity-minded educators with strategies to engage students of color in CTE environments. These tools can be implemented across various educational settings, from small classrooms to large institutions. They include mentorship programs, social and emotional learning, and community engagement initiatives that foster inclusive and supportive learning environments.
Lawrence V. Fitz, Ed.D., has served in educational and corporate leadership roles for more than two decades. His current administrative role is as the inaugural CTE district coordinator for the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District and he formerly served as CTE administrative dean for the Ventura County Office of Education.He previously worked with Southern California Edison, administering a workforce mentorship program. Fitz was awarded a service award of distinction by the California State Senate for his leadership excellence.
