Issue Briefs


ACTE Issue Brief: CTE’s Role in Leadership Development
December 2012
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This Issue Brief explores the integral role CTE curricula and programs can play in addressing the leadership skills gap facing employers. CTE fosters future leaders by providing leadership training in class and through related activities, by placing students in workplace contexts where they can receive mentorship and observe leadership in action, and by empowering students with authentic leadership roles.


 ACTE Issue Brief: CTE’s Role in Urban Education
 August 2012

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This Issue Brief explores the promising role that career and technical education programs play in addressing key student achievement issues facing urban schools. CTE programs engage urban students by providing rigorous and relevant coursework, fostering positive relationships, establishing clear pathways and connecting education and careers fulfilling a unique and positive role in today’s urban education system.

 

ACTE Issue Brief: CTE’s Role in Worker Retraining
December 2010
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This Issue Brief explores the essential role that CTE programs play in addressing many of the issues faced by unemployed and underemployed workers. These programs target the adult learner through short-term and accelerated courses; utilize flexible learning approaches to account for students other responsibilities; include wraparound support services to increase student success; and concentrate on high-demand career areas to ensure students are prepared for jobs that exist in local economies.

 

ACTE Issue Brief: CTE’s Role in Adolescent Literacy
November 2009
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This Issue Brief explores the key role CTE programs can play in increasing adolescent literacy engagement and achievement. High-quality CTE programs expose students to rigorous and relevant information-rich content that motivates them to develop their literacy skills. CTE teachers integrate content-area reading and writing strategies to aid students learning, and courses provide numerous enrichment activities to help students apply higher-level literacy skills to their interests and future goals.

 

ACTE Issue Brief: CTE’s Role in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
June 2009
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This Issue Brief explores the integral role CTE programs and initiatives play in addressing the STEM challenge and securing America’s leadership in innovation. CTE programs offer students a deeper understanding of STEM career pathways, build interest in STEM-related careers by making math and science content more relevant and tangible to students and help grow the STEM workforce pipeline by encouraging more students from under-represented populations to enter these career fields.

 

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ACTE Issue Brief: The Role of Career Academies in School Improvement
March 2009

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This Issue Brief explores the central role career academies can play in school improvement efforts. Career academies engage a cohort group of students and staff in smaller learning communities built on foundations of rigorous college-prep academics and career and technical education. These programs integrate relevant career themes across the curriculum, engage business and industry leaders in the education process and, as a result, drive student academic achievement.

 

ACTE Issue Brief: CTE’s Role in Career Guidance
December 2008

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This Issue Brief explores the leading role that career and technical education plays in the field of career guidance and in improving student success through career development services. CTE supports a comprehensive counseling and guidance system, provides a curriculum framework for career exploration, and engages students through personalized and applied learning.

 

ACTE Issue Brief: CTE’s Role in Energy and Environmental Sustainability
October 2008
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This Issue Brief explores the growing role that career and technical education programs play in efforts to increase energy and environmental sustainability. CTE offers early exposure to students regarding sustainable energy career options through curriculum integration, provides the cutting edge training necessary to ensure future employees meet work-force pipeline needs, and sets an example through state-of-the-art green buildings that become part of the curriculum.

 

ACTE Issue Brief: CTE’s Role in Workforce Readiness Credentials
March 2008
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This Issue Brief explores the important role that career and technical education plays in the continued expansion and value of workforce readiness credentials. CTE programs contribute to the growth of these credentials by helping students apply academic and employability skills, providing opportunities for preparation and assessment, and connecting with business and industry to increase employer support.

 

ACTE Issue Brief: CTE’s Role in Secondary-Postsecondary Transitions
August 2007

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This Issue Brief explores the significant role that career and technical education programs play in aiding students successful transition from secondary to postsecondary education. Through initiatives such as CTE programs of study, dual enrollment, Tech Prep, and early and middle college high schools, CTE programs are on the front lines of ensuring that all students have opportunities to gain the skills and credentials necessary for success in the 21st century economy.

 

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ACTE Issue Brief: CTE’s Role in Dropout Prevention and Recovery
June 2007
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This Issue Brief explores the critical role that career and technical education plays in dropout prevention and recovery. High quality career and technical education can help more students persist in and complete high school by preparing them for the postsecondary education and training that will be critical to future economic successes; by increasing student engagement; by building positive relationships; and by providing innovative delivery methods.

 

ACTE Issue Brief: CTE’s Role in American Competitiveness
October 2006
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Read Companion Piece on Business-education Partnerships in CTE: Driving American Competitiveness

This Issue Brief explores the dynamic role that career and technical education plays in economic competitiveness. High-quality career and technical education can ensure America’s future in the global economy through increased student engagement, the innovative integration of math, science and literacy skills, and by meeting the needs of both employers and the economy as a whole.