Category: News

Replace the pervasive negative stigma of CTE with positive images. CTE provides as a primary path toward good jobs, not an alternative path. The CTE Identity Framework will bring awareness and offer messaging guidance for CTE educators. With thoughtfully crafted messages, we can eradicate the old stereotype and replace it with a new, more aspirational identity. Such discipline and awareness are a necessary first step to correct social biases that impede students from entering and thriving in CTE programs and graduating into self-supporting careers.

The CTE Identity Framework provides a blueprint for the next generation of high-quality CTE.

Join distinguished panelists, including ACTE’s own Michael Connect — deputy executive director for outreach and partnership development — for this free webinar on Thursday, April 29 at 3:00 p.m. EDT.

Learn more about ACTE’s online seminars.

Racism, classism and sexism are but a few of the isms that prevent students from accessing high-quality career and technical education (CTE). How can we confront and begin to dismantle elements of conscious and unconscious bias in CTE classrooms?

Confront isms in the classroom.

Attend this free webinar on Wednesday, April 28 at 2:00 p.m. EDT. Attendees will take away a new understanding of equity in education and perhaps a few tools to increase inclusivity. Learn more about ACTE’s online seminars.

Attend ACTE’s Work-based Learning (WBL) Conference 2024! This annual event, which sold out last year, offers focused professional development for WBL professionals in secondary and postsecondary CTE programs and institutions.

WBL Conference 2024 happens May 1–3 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin!

Participants will gain access to a wealth of WBL resources, and they will learn how effective networking can enhance high-quality work-based learning experiences. Join us and more than 1,000 CTE professionals as we build strong business and community connections and robust learning experiences for students. In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, we will gather to discuss the hottest topics in work-based learning, network with colleagues and industry partners, and hear from exciting keynotes.

Learn more and register today.

This new workshop, Developing CTE Lesson Plans for a COVID-19-impacted Classroom, happens March 11 from 1:00–3:30 p.m. ET. Explore strategies you can use to support the development of lesson plans tailored to distance, blended, socially distanced or in-classroom learning, while building capacity for high-quality instruction in CTE. The registration rate for this  workshop is $100.

>nbsp;

Opportunity America and Lumina Foundation are partnering with Wilder Research to conduct a national research study of community college credit and noncredit occupational education and relationships with employers.

Participate in the community college workforce education support study.

The study will be in the field through January 2021 and is seeking a strong representation of community college workforce education. Institutions that take part will be entered in a drawing, and three will receive donations of up to $10,000 to fund scholarships for noncredit workforce students. Learn more and participate in the study.

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is pleased to announce the results of the recent election for several spots on its Board of Directors. The election was open to ACTE’s membership of roughly 25,000 educators, administrators and other CTE professionals.

ACTE congratulates the winners, and thanks all of the candidates for their willingness to serve and their hard work, dedication, and commitment to the Association. ACTE also thanks all of its members who had their voices heard by voting in the election.

Read the announcement>gt;

>nbsp;

Career and technical educators find vital professional development resources in ACTE — at VISION, during National Policy Seminar, and on CTE Learn. CTE Learn presents an online professional development experience. Self-paced courses, which can be completed at home or at school, offer effective teaching and leading strategies.

Collaborate, share and grow in your professional skills.

Check out what’s new.

(LC110) Creating a Safe CTE Learning Environment

Safety in CTE programs needs to be a top priority for educators who work in, supervise, and instruct students in laboratories, greenhouses, shops, and related facilities. It is essential that these teaching/learning environments are safely operated and maintained to assure that students are provided with supportive learning opportunities. This course introduces CTE administrators and instructors to proper safety procedures, maintenance, and emergency protocols. Strategies for the development and application of safety practices by students will be shared.

(EC110) Reaching High Levels of Student Engagement

All teachers should aim for maximum student engagement. To facilitate this happening requires an understanding and application of fundamental principles of effective instruction, especially in our new world of virtual learning. This engagement course is the first in a series designed to empower teachers to reach their highest levels of performance, digitally and in person. This course provides content and emphasizes the pedagogy, psychology, and neuroscience involved with engagement. The outcome for this course is to equip teachers to engage in deeper conversations about student learning, cognitive growth, and performance. This course provides engagement strategies to use in CTE courses immediately.

(EC115) Integrating Career Readiness Into Your Courses: Part I

This course will provide an overview of career readiness including information and activities that may be incorporated into your courses. This course, which forms Part I of a two-part series, provides details about four specific career readiness skills: critical thinking/problem solving, verbal/written communications, teamwork/collaboration, and information technology applications. Additional thoughts and resources will also be provided to allow you to consider multiple ways to assist students in developing these skills in your courses.

(EC119) Professional Learning Communities — How to Reach Transformative Change

Professional learning communities (PLC) provide systems of growth that can advance your teams and students to the next level. Typical CTE collaboration often revolves around content, limiting CTE teacher dialogue to specific career field discussions. With highly developed PLC, teachers connect across program areas and the discussions shift to focus on instruction—not just content. PLC provide a framework to make significant improvements in the quality of instruction. Teachers begin to speak a common language on strategies and lessons and engage in authentic field-testing and feedback. This course will discuss the organization of PLC and strategies for participating in and benefiting from being a part of them.

(EC120) Teachers’ Guide to Suicide Prevention

This course is designed to provide career and technical instructors with an overview of how to support students at risk of suicide or who are influenced by suicide. Topics are designed to enhance awareness of risk factors and warning signs, increase sensitivity to stigma surrounding mental health emergencies and suicidality, and facilitate prevention through referral resources. Instructors will learn to identify signs and symptoms of at-risk students, while developing a deeper understanding of adolescent suicidal behaviors, especially those experienced by vulnerable populations. The course concludes with strategies to guide instructors on how and when to obtain appropriate assistance for students in crisis.

To learn more or enroll, visit CTE Learn.

At its first-ever CareerTech Virtual VISION, ACTE announced 2021 national award winners in eight award categories:

• Teacher of the Year
• Postsecondary Teacher of the Year
• Teacher Educator of the Year
• Administrator of the Year
• New Teacher of the Year
• Counseling and Career Development Professional of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement
• Carl Perkins Community Service Award.

ACTE named its national finalists earlier this year.

Congratulations to all of our national Excellence Award winners!

The virtual Awards Gala took place on Thursday, Dec. 3. The celebration was sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, CareerSafe, Goodheart-Willcox, eDynamic Learning and Stratasys.

Read the press release>gt;