1. Connecting More Learners with High-quality CTE: Lessons from the Frontier
April 26, 2018

2. Presenters Austin Estes, Senior Policy Associate, Advance CTE
Kate Kreamer, Deputy Executive Director, Advance CTE

3. About Advance CTE
Formerly The National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium (NASDCTEc)
Non-profit established in 1920 to represent the state and territory heads of secondary, postsecondary and adult career technical education (CTE) across the nation
Through leadership, advocacy and partnerships, support an innovative, high-quality CTE system

4. CTE on the Frontier Focused on rural CTE access and quality
Available in the Learning that Works Resource Center: resource-center

5. Education in Rural America
There is a rural/ urban education gap
4/5 “low- education” counties are rural
These counties are more likely to experience high poverty rates
Source: USDA, Rural Education At a Glance, 2017 Edition

6. Challenge 1: Quality
Ensuring rural CTE programs are high quality and aligned to labor market needs
Source:

7. Challenge 2: Employer Access
Expanding access to the world of work despite limited employer presence in rural communities
Source:

8. Challenge 3: Program Diversity
Overcoming limited resources to provide a breadth of different options in a variety of industry areas
Breadth
Depth

9. Challenge 4: Teacher Pipeline
Strengthening the pipeline of qualified CTE teachers and faculty in rural areas
Source:

10. Audience Poll
Which of these challenges is the biggest priority in your school or district?
Ensuring the quality of career pathways
Connecting students with the world of work
Expanding the diversity of programs offered
Recruiting qualified teachers
Any other challenges?

11. State Strategies
Five cross-cutting strategies to expand CTE pathways in rural communities

12. Secure buy in and commitment
To what degree is expanding access to high- quality CTE pathways a priority in your state/community?
Who are your key stakeholders and champions at the state and local levels?
What opportunities can be developed to gain commitment and support?

13. Nebraska: reVISION Started in 2013 with Perkins Reserve funds
Use of LMI to drive regional planning

14. Use data strategically to understand access gaps and assess impact
How are you using data to evaluate the reach and impact of your efforts to expand high-quality CTE?
Does your teacher workforce align with your high- demand sectors and economic outlook?

15. Kentucky: New Teacher Institute
In person and online meetings, mentor matching, field- based supports
Redesign was spurred by weak CTE teacher retention data
Nearly 96% retention during the first year
5-day boot camp
Robust 2-year professional learning experience

16. Leverage regional, cross-sector partnerships
What structures/ partnerships are currently in place to foster regional collaboration?
To what extent do they facilitate economies of scale?

17. North Dakota: Dakota Nursing Program
Partnership between four community colleges
Local hospitals and health care providers serve as satellite campuses in rural areas
Offer LPN and RN programs with licensure pass rates about state and national averages

18. Use technology to expand access and reach
How can online or virtual learning opportunities best supplement CTE pathways?
How do you evaluate the quality and impact of online or virtual opportunities?

19. Idaho CTE Digital
Local Program of Study
CTE Digital Foundational Courses
In-person instruction in advanced subjects
In-person capstone
Developed six CTE courses and virtual PD for teachers
Emphasis on quality, blending virtual and in-person learning opportunities

20. Invest resources to spark innovation
What state and federal funding opportunities are available to improve access to and the quality of CTE pathways?
Where can investments have the most bang for their buck?

21. South Dakota: Workforce Education Fund
Seed funding to support career pathways, anchored in nine priority areas
Up to $900,000 in grants approved for 2018
Funded projects:
Mobile labs
Curriculum redesign
New dual credit programs
A middle school STEM program
Building community partnerships

22. Questions?

23. Discussion
What’s working in your school, district or community? How are you successfully expanding access to and success in high-quality career pathways?
What can be done to accelerate and expand this work?
Who are your critical partners in these efforts?
If you would like to ask your question over the phone, please raise your hand.
Click on “Participants,” then click on the hand near the bottom of the box.

24. Thank You!
Check out our resources at
Follow Advance CTE @CTEWorks