Tech Directions - August 2007 - (Page 8) too many CTE programs remain unchanged, and there also is a risk that the college-prep curricula will continue to lack real-world authenticity. “Those states that undertake a strategic approach to retooling CTE programs,” according to the NGA paper, “can expect more engaged and persistent graduates who have added earning potential and are better prepared to enter high-wage/ high-skill occupations.” (“Retooling Career Technical Education,” NGA Center for Best Practices, www.nga.org/center) More on CTE Reform While the governors seem to be putting the CTE picture into perspective, it is interesting to watch various attempts to amend No Child Left Behind so that it incorporates a broader view of student success beyond math and reading test scores. Groups such as FairTest and the Public Education Network have called for public participation in redefining student success, for example, and other reports mention physical and social sciences; and “soft skills” and applied learning as architecture and engineering. being important. Said one economics professor at During the summer, Education the workshop: the skills that might Week addressed the confusing issue be most important to learn “are the of a proper mix of skills in a special skills for managing uncertainty.” report examining readiness for jobs and in an article about a workshop hosted by the National Academies News on State-Level Activity on job skills for the future. The reEven as the National Governors porting indicates a lot of guessing Association discussed its report on reforming career technical educaand uncertainty about what stution for the first time, reports condents should know and prepare for after graduation. The publication’s report on “Ready for What?” Reports continue to roll in from found that some educastate legislators and other tion beyond high school is policy makers about a renewed needed to earn a decent emphasis on career education. wage, but how much education often depends on the prevailing wages, which differ across the country. tinue to roll in from state legislators One dilemma facing policy makand other policy makers about a ers is that while students with renewed emphasis on career educahigher math scores tend to earn tion. more in the labor market, some In Oregon, a legislative mandate economists and researchers conenacted in 2002 took effect this year, tend that developing problem-solvrequiring all public high school ing skills and the ability to apply students to complete a career-remath in new situations are more lated project before graduation. important than advanced math Students must complete one or courses. Similarly, the “soft skills” more career-related experiences wanted by employers—such as such as attending a job fair or insolving problems creatively, commuterning at a workplace; demonstrate nicating well, evaluating information that they have acquired careercritically, and having responsible related skills such as time managework habits—seldom receive exment and teamwork; and conduct an plicit focus in high schools. extended application of job skills. While some states are revamping The North Carolina State Board of CTE to reflect broader demands, the Education revised its high school report contends that the task of graduation requirements to include reforming CTE is enormous. an art or vocational course after As for predictions about jobs for complaints from the public. the future, the National Academies In a twist on the NGA report title workshop produced widely different “Retooling Career Technical Educascenarios, along with a general tion,” the publication California agreement that no one knows for Schools described the governor’s sure how much of work that is focus and other policy making in an known today will be taken over by article entitled “Retooling Voc Ed.” technologies. California education officials The National Research Council changed the nomenclature to “catable accompanying the article reer technical education,” developed shows predictions of more than 90 standards for it with the help of percent of people in sales and office business and industry, and camand administrative support being paigned to align CTE courses with displaced by computers, in addition admission requirements in higher to more than 74 percent of educaeducation. The state superintendent tion, training, and library jobs. The has strongly supported improveleast affected will be legal; life, ment and expansion of CTE. 8 techdirections ◆ AUGUST 2007 http://www.nga.org/center http://www.maxnc.com http://www.maxnc.com
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