School Counselors: Promoting CTE as a Postsecondary Option Brian Law ACTE Region II VP Valdosta High School Counselor Valdosta, Georgia

“College for All” Did you know that high school students today hear the “college for all” message? Do you personally and professionally believe that all students can succeed in college? Do you believe that college is the only reliable (consistent) path to financial success? What are the implications of the “college for all” message for CTE? Dugger, S.M. Foundations of Career Counseling: A Case Based Approach: 2016: Pearson Education, Inc.

Discussion What are your reactions to the “College for All” movement? What about academic rigor and CTE?

To get to the future, you must understand the past! Vocational Education Meeting employer needs since the Smith-Hughes Act 100 years ago Bring ease to social unrest of unemployed in the 1960s and 1980s Creating a technical workforce in last 10 years Career Technical Education Increasing academic rigor Incorporating STEM Meeting the needs of innovations Replacing the “baby booming” populations of “vocational” trained adults.

School Counselor’s role in CTE Advocating for CTE Explaining Curricular Requirements Facilitating Consideration of CTE Options Assisting with Postsecondary Search and Selection Process Assisting CTE Students with Career Development Needs Dugger, S.M. Foundations of Career Counseling: A Case Based Approach: 2016: Pearson Education, Inc.

It is Elementary My Dear! Elementary career counseling should begin focusing on character education and social skills - directly affect the workforce and lead into work ready skills/soft skills. Knowledge of career options using career cluster vocabulary (elementary friendly terms)

Ideas for promoting CTE: Elementary Careers on Wheels Career Speakers to promote CTE Local Career Day Character Education (soft skills) Career Cluster Lessons Other ideas?

It is Best in the Middle! Middle school counseling should focus on interest. Skills begin to develop in certain areas. Begin to put the pieces of career exploration together using career clusters to narrow scope.

Examples of Career Clusters

Ideas for promoting CTE: Middle Interest Inventories Career Inventories to include personality and aptitude Job Shadow Days Career Portfolios Focus on Career Clusters/Pathways High school credit for CTE coursework Graduation plans Other ideas?

Hooking a Career in High School! High school counselors should focus on skills and abilities. Promote career pathways and focus on Career Technical classes for exposure to skills.

Ideas for promoting CTE: Secondary Skills/Aptitude Inventory (affirmation) Six Year Plan Dual enrollment at Career Colleges and Technical Schools for associates, certificate and diploma programs Apprenticeship opportunities Promote CTSO involvement Local job shadowing in CTE areas Family and Community Engagement presentations promoting CTE options Other ideas?

Thanks for your support of CTE! Brian Law ACTE Region II VP School Counselor Valdosta High School 3101 N Forrest Street Valdosta, GA 31602 blaw@gocats.org 229-671-6000 Ext. 4004