1. Making High School Relevant: A Framework for Career and Technical Education
RAPSA Webinar April 1, 2016
Presenters:
Alisha Hyslop, Director of Public Policy, ACTE
Kisha Bird, Director, Youth Policy, CLASP
Facilitator:
Ernie Silva, Exec. Director of External Affairs, SIATech

2. ACTE: What is our core purpose?
ACTE provides leadership in developing an educated, prepared, and competitive workforce.
Organization need to collaborate in this day and age

3. ACTE: Who We Are?
Largest national education association dedicated to the advancement of career and technical education (CTE)
Standing up for the cause of CTE for 85+ years
Recognized leader in legislative advocacy
Provider of support and professional development to active, vibrant community of CTE professionals
Connected to many other sector organizations, Career Technical Student Organizations and employers
501(c)(3) headquartered in Washington, D.C. area
Mention materials and that the membership info is primarily intended to communicate what we do
Mention state affiliates and connections to other organizations in the CTE community as “umbrella”
Mention CTE Universe of over 200,000 CTE educators nationwide
Underscore the CTSO’s – 11 and secondary/postsecondary; intracurricular; authorized by US Congress; student competitions
Mention NPS, VISION, Best Practices and region conferences

4. Aligns/Supports Academics High School and College Partnerships
Career and Technical Education
For All Students
For All “Careers”
16 Clusters—81 Pathways
Aligns/Supports Academics
High School and College Partnerships

5. Why is CTE Important?
CTE links students to the “real-world” using instructional strategies like work-based learning opportunities in ways that many other high school programs cannot.
There is a growing need for credentials, postsecondary education, and training after high school.
CTE=hands-on learning, connection between education and careers.
Rigor, relevance and relationships!

6. Research Shows CTE Students…
are more engaged in their education
graduate from high school at higher rates and score higher on academic achievement tests
gain critical employability skills
earn industry-recognized credentials
focus on careers aligned to state and local economic priorities are the backbone of the future U.S. workforce!

7. Programs of Study
Incorporate and align secondary and postsecondary education
Include academic and technical content in a coordinated, non-duplicative progression of courses
May include the opportunity for dual credit
Lead to an industry-recognized credential or certificate at the postsecondary level, or an associate or baccalaureate degree

8. High-quality CTE Initiative
ACTE is embarking on a multi-step project to:
synthesize the different voices in the high-quality CTE dialogue
identify a comprehensive, research-based quality CTE program of study framework
test the framework
integrate it into our efforts to recognize and disseminate information on best practices within CTE
First phase: Defining high-quality CTE
Working with REL Central in CO

9. Contemporary Perspectives on CTE Quality
Paper released July 2015
Began by looking at how CTE quality is already being discussed and defined
Research questions:
How and why were current frameworks developed?
How are current frameworks structured?
What elements appear in current frameworks?

10. Content Findings Most common content codes:
INVOLVE – Business partners 21
INVOLVE – Education partners 20
DATA – Accountability/outcomes 19
DELIVERY – Credit transfer opportunities 18
DELIVERY – Work-based learning
CONTENT – Vertical alignment/course sequences
PROGRAM/SCHOOL/SYSTEM – Statement of mission, vision and/or support from leadership 17
ASSESS – Assessment
GUIDANCE – Career development
INVOLVE – Community partners
Pathways inherent in the structure of several of these

11. Conclusions
Room for greater clarity and consistency in the conversation about high-quality CTE
Particular focus on individual local programs is missing
Key trends in content are readily identifiable and can inform other efforts
Need to consider how individual programs fit within broader initiatives

12. Research Process
Focused on quality elements for single Programs of Study
Reviewed original frameworks, companion documents, state policy documents, and “single-element” frameworks
Examined individual pieces of content in each
Draft includes 12 elements and multiple criteria under each

13. High-quality CTE Elements
Standards-aligned and Integrated Curriculum
Access and Equity
Facilities and Equipment
Sequencing and Articulation
Business and Community Partnerships
Student Assessment
Career Development
Prepared and Effective Program Staff
Career Technical Student Organizations
Engaging Instructional Strategies
Work-based Learning
Data and Outcomes

14. Next Steps Collect input into framework Validate through:
A targeted literature review
Additional focus groups conducted with CTE experts
Pilot testing of the revised framework
Develop a corresponding rubric and other implementation tools

15. Key Resources www.acteonline.org Techniques Magazine
CTE Policy Watch Blog
Educators in Action Blog
ACTE News
Action Center
Fact Sheets
Issue Briefs/Sheets
Online Seminars
Infographics
Professional Development

16. For more info, visit: http://www.acteonline.org/high-qualityCTE/
Contact Info
For more info, visit:
Alisha Hyslop