Career and Technical Education (CTE) by James Stone

Introduction

• James Stone, director of the National Research Center for CTE at the University of Louisville
• Esteemed career in CTE research focused on engagement, achievement, and transition to post-secondary education

Introduction Activity

• Audience interaction to combat fatigue
• Humor to build rapport with the audience

Overview of CTE

• Importance of CTE in modern education
• Imagining the future of CTE
• Example: Stone’s grandsons, envisioning their educational future
• Global competition and the need for high-quality CTE

Labor Market and Economic Trends

• Overview of labor market statistics and occupational growth
  • 1990s project on magnet schools
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics data on job growth (registered nurses, biomedical engineers, etc.)
• Disconnect between current educational paths and job market demands
• Technology's impact on job displacement, increasing automation
• Lowest labor market participation since the depression
• Gender disparities in workforce recovery post-2007 recession

High-Quality CTE Characteristics

• Mention of SREB, NAF, and other organizations' contributions
• Importance of contextual, integrated learning
• CTE’s role in increasing high school graduation rates
• Specific systems mentioned:
  • Career pathways
  • Career academies
  • Shared time/full-time regional centers
• Pedagogy in CTE
  • Classroom instruction
  • CareerTech student organizations (e.g., FFA, SkillsUSA)
  • Work-based learning

Evidence and Research on CTE Outcomes

• CTE helps in enhancing student engagement, achievement, and transition
• Analysis of national data sets show strong predictors for high school completion
• Importance of both academic and employability skills
  • Reading, math, and science teachings in CTE contexts showed strong positive shifts
• The role of academic skills in occupational contexts
• Gender-specific benefits of CTE

Pedagogical Strategies and Best Practices

• CTE’s unique three-fold pedagogy
  • Classroom
  • Student organizations
  • Work-based learning
• Importance of academic skills made practical through CTE
• Non-cognitive skills, e.g., grit and persistence
• Work-based learning's role internationally (e.g., German and Finnish systems)

Outcomes and Benefits

• Increased academic achievement through contextualized learning
• Positive effects on college enrollment, especially two-year programs
• Improvement in employment outcomes and labor market earnings especially for at-risk youth

Summary and Call to Action

• CTE’s integral role in providing necessary skills and education for all students
• Need for high-quality CTE embedded in a broader systems approach
• Holistic guidance and support systems
• Emphasis on rigorous, integrated curricula and aligned secondary-postsecondary programs

Q&A Summary

• Emphasis on high-quality, integrated CTE improving academic outcomes
• Recognition of CTE teachers' dedication and effectiveness
• International interest in New York City’s CTE programs
• Audience questions and participation