CTE Across the Years

ACTE is celebrating 100 years of CTE with the anniversary of the passage of the Smith-Hughes Act in 1917. This legislation authorized federal funds for supporting secondary vocational training, beginning a century of investment in progress in career and technical education. The legislation has changed over the years, and so has the CTE classroom. I wanted to share my journey as an educator having experienced these changes within the CTE field over the past 30 years.

1980s
I entered my first year of college in 1984, the same year that vocational legislation was renamed the ‘Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act,’ which went on to fund the expansion, improvement and modernization of quality programs to meet the needs of the workforce and promote economic growth.

1990s
After obtaining a degree in Occupational Education, my first job teaching was as an adult education instructor providing competency-based instruction to adults wanting to complete their high school education. When I started my first teaching job in 1990, Congress also reauthorized Perkins with new amendments that provided greater opportunities to students through increased integration of academic, vocational and tech prep programs.

1998 brought the passage of Perkins III, which provided flexibility to develop career and technology education programs while making them more accountable for student performance. The act also focused on funding formulas, tech prep, and school-to-work. 1998 is also the year that I became a school-to-work coordinator in the heart of Texas.

2000s
2006 and Perkins IV aimed at focusing on the academic achievement of career and technical education students, strengthening the connections between secondary and postsecondary education, and improving state and local accountability. 2006 is the year I became a career facilitator in a local school district working with 8th grade students to create four-year plans and working with high school students developing dual credit opportunities and completing six-year tech prep plans.

2010s and Beyond
In July 2017, I will begin my service to ACTE as the Vice President of ACTE Region IV. This year, I hope to see Congress restore the cuts that were made to CTE funding, which has become a critical issue for schools. Even in years when funding decreases, we remain under pressure to continue to develop, improve, and expand the use of technology in our CTE classrooms. As long as schools continue to initiate and modernize quality CTE programs, CTE will continue to prepare students for high-skill, high-wage and high-demand occupations that lead to self-sufficiency and productive citizenship. I look forward to seeing the legislative process in action as the Congressional session proceeds over the next year and beyond.

Reference: Scott, J. L., & Sarkees-Wircenski, M. (2004). Overview of Career and Technical Education (3rd ed.). Homewood, IL: American Technical. Retrieved from: http://cte.unt.edu/about/cte-history-of-legislation

Christine Holecek
ACTE Region IV Vice President-Elect
Education Specialist, CTE and College & Career Readiness
Education Service Center Region 12
Waco, Texas