History

The first AVA convention was held in Louisville, and Kentucky also was chartered that year. The first president of KVA (the Kentucky Vocational Association and the forerunner of today’s Kentucky Association for Career and Technical Education) was G. Ivan Barnes, who represented Agriculture and served for two years. The second president, Ethel Lovell, represented Trade and Industrial Education. In 1934-36, Ms. Ata Lee, representing Home Economics, served as president. According to the records, all presidents served two years until 1948. Also, the rotation plan — Agriculture, Trade and Industrial, Home Economics — continued until 1960 when John Maguire, representing Distributive Education, was elected president.

KVA membership as of February 1, 1927, was 205 and ranked eighth in the association, which had a total membership of 3,632. States with a higher membership were California, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio.

At the national level, divisions were formed based on the federal legislation (i.e., agriculture education, commercial education, home economics education, industrial education, part-time schools, and vocational rehabilitation).

KVA followed this pattern; however, these areas were commonly called service areas (e.g., agriculture, home economics, and industrial education). Later service (program) areas included distributive education, health occupations, business and office, manpower, and special needs. There have been changes subsequently, such as manpower to employment and training.

In addition to the program areas, Kentucky also established KVA regions in 1965. These regions were represented by regional officers, and the regional president served on the KVA Board of Directors. Originally, thee were 10 regions throughout the state. With restructuring in recent years, these were expanded to 15. Regional meetings were held in conjunction with the Kentucky Education Association (KEA) fall district meetings. (Note:  The regions were eliminated by bylaw amendment in 2002.)

Annual meetings of the association have been held throughout the years. Most of the meetings were held in Louisville; however, in 1962 the meeting was held in Lexington. These meetings were held in conjunction with the annual meeting of KEA and were usually held at the Kentucky Hotel. There would be at least 250-300 in attendance.

Committee work has been a mainstay in carrying out the program of work.

KVA has been noted for recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to the association. According to the Bylaws, a maximum of two individuals may be honored each year with the KVA Honorary Life Membership. Persons nominated do not have to be members of KVA. Current data indicates 42 individuals have been honored by the association.

Kentucky also has been noted for having many KVA life members. As far back as 1978, there were 106 active life members

Student organizations have been an integral part of vocational education since 1928 at the national level.

• FFA — November 20, 1928
• FBLA — February 3, 1942
• FHA — June 11, 1945
• DECA — April 19-19, 1947
• AIASA — March 1965
• HOSA — November 10-13, 1976

Since the name change to KACTE, the association maintained its commitment to student organizations, most notably in organizing Student Leadership Day in Frankfort, which offers student organization leaders and members a civics learning opportunity. KACTE also sponsors the annual CTE student Entrepreneurial Contest.

Since 2002, KACTE’s Annual Meeting was incorporated within the Annual Statewide Career and Technical Education Summer Program, and KACTE is the logistic manager for the event. The CTE Summer Program is the largest professional development opportunity for CTE administrators and teachers in Kentucky.

Using funds generated through the Summer Program, in 2009 KACTE created several programs to further CTE in Kentucky.

• A student-teaching scholarship was established for pre-service teachers to assist with the cost of their first assignment.
• A stipend program was created to assist middle school teachers in attending the Summer Program since they are not allowed to use Perkins Act funds for professional development.
• The CTE student Entrepreneurial Contest was funded with these monies.
• A Professional Development Fund was rejuvenated with guidelines allowing payment for one-time, non-budgeted learning programs presented by agencies or associations.
• Finally, dollars were directed to support leadership initiatives, which eventually developed into the KACTE TALENTS (Teachers As Leaders — Empowering New Thinking Skills) Leadership Academy. The Academy debuted in 2012-13.

KACTE maintains an active public awareness and legislative advocacy program. Its presence on behalf of CTE is known both in Washington and Frankfort. In 2010, KACTE was challenged to develop a definition of career readiness. Two-thirds of the KACTE recommendation was adopted by the Kentucky State Board of Education and used as part of the state’s College and Career Readiness Accountability System. Several legislative initiatives supported by KACTE passed the Kentucky General Assembly and were signed by the governor. The KACTE executive director is a member of the State Advisory Committee for Career and Technical Education.

KACTE has a proud legacy of achievement that continues to grow.