The Seven Habits of Highly Effective CTE Programs

  1. Keep Kids First – We are here to expand knowledge, develop talent, and assist in preparing young adults for their future. Keep
    kids first by assuring our CTE programs assist students in acquiring the academic and technical skills for high-demand, high-wage careers.
  1. Seek Opportunities – We should expand on collaborations with post-secondary institutions for the attainment of college credit and encourage ongoing relationships with business and industry. These partners provide career and college readiness preparation through their services as classroom speakers, site tours, and work-based learning placements.
  1. Cultivate Engagement – We want the students to see, taste, touch, and feel their CTE experience. CTE classrooms should be a natural habitat for engagement to occur due to our hands-on instruction and training.  Take advantage of this opportunity and maximize the impact.
  1. Develop Enrichment – Students need an understanding of where they go from here. We can assist them in developing this by building a connection between their CTE program, four-year plan, post-secondary plan, and career plan.
  1. Expand in Breadth and Depth – Sometimes it is necessary to revise the process, the system, and the content. Conduct a review of the curriculum and ensure it is meeting the required standards.  Determine curriculum revisions to implement and then the strategies and resources to do so.  Are we ensuring there is student learning taking place at the necessary level of achievement through breadth and depth?
  1. Appreciate and Encourage – Provide appreciation for those that support your efforts and strive to surpass expectations. Acknowledge CTE staff for their tireless efforts and their focus on improvement.  Encourage students towards demonstrated excellence.  Appreciate board members and administration for their support of your programs.  And celebrate the achievements.
  1. Share the Message – We have the opportunity to impact students, business and industry, and the community. We have the data that demonstrates and supports our success.  We need to share this information:  Announce, Post, Tweet – Always be a CTE advocate!

Nicole Lord the CTE Director of Flushing High School in Flushing, MI and 2016 ACTE Region I Fellow