ACTE and Advance CTE Release Eighth Annual Report Examining State CTE Policies
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2021
Contact: Hannah Neeper
hneeper@acteonline.org
ACTE and Advance CTE Release Eighth Annual Report Examining State CTE Policies
Alexandria, VA – In 2020, career and technical education (CTE) adapted to the challenges brought about by the coronavirus, continuing to deliver high-quality programming nationwide across all learner levels. CTE also remained at the forefront of state CTE policy, with 31 states enacting or passing 67 CTE-related policy actions. Today, Advance CTE and the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), with research support from the Education Commission of the States, released their eighth annual report, State Policies Impacting CTE: 2020 Year in Review.
This report highlights major trends in CTE and career readiness policymaking, and includes a companion online state policy tracker that tracks and analyzes legislative actions by state and content area. While there were fewer CTE policies enacted this year than in past years as states dealt with the pandemic, states still showed a commitment to high-quality CTE through their policymaking. Funding, industry partnerships/work-based learning and access and equity were the top three policy categories this year, followed by policies addressing dual/concurrent enrollment, articulation and early college, and data, reporting and/or accountability. In addition, the report spotlights several states that enacted CTE-related policy specific to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Like all sectors of education and the economy, CTE programs have had to change the way they operate this past year, but quality and equity have remained at the forefront of CTE policy. The CTE-related policies enacted in 2020 show that CTE is the key to getting the economy and workforce back on track,” said LeAnn Wilson, ACTE’s Executive Director. “States have passed new and innovative policies to address emerging issues, such as reimbursing schools for COVID-19 related costs and creating rapid workforce training initiatives to reskill and upskill unemployed and underemployed individuals. As the nation continues to navigate the new COVID-19 impacted world, high-quality CTE programs are more important and needed now more than ever.”
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Advance CTE is the longest-standing national non-profit that represents State Directors and state leaders responsible for secondary, postsecondary and adult Career Technical Education (CTE) across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Established in 1920, Advance CTE supports visionary state leadership, cultivates best practices and speaks with a collective voice to advance high-quality CTE policies, programs and pathways that ensure career success for each learner.
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities.