By Tracie ZerpoliFebruary. The month almost all of us associate with love. We at Tri-Cities ROP think of it as the month of celebrating our love for what we do -- preparing students for college AND careers.
Career Technical Education ("CTE") has evolved greatly over the years from its early days known as "vocational education" to today's cutting-edge, rigorous and relevant programs that are preparing students for high-skilled and high-demand careers. CTE's place in today's classrooms has become an integral mainstay in a young person's educational journey and lifelong career success.
CTE serves 94 percent of all high school students, including male and female students, from many races and ethnicities, and students from higher and lower income backgrounds.
Statistics show that high school students involved in CTE are more engaged, perform better, and graduate at higher rates. U.S. Senator Michael Enzi, Chair of the Senate Budget Committee, has said, "We are looking for ways to decrease the dropout rate. I am pretty sure, if we eliminate career and technical education, we are going to increase the dropout rate." Senator Enzi is correct. In fact, 81% of dropouts say relevant, real-world learning opportunities would have kept them in high school. Statistics also show that the average high school graduation rate for students concentrating in CTE programs is 93%, compared to a national adjusted cohort graduation rate of 80%.
CTE addresses the needs of high-growth industries and helps close the skills gap. For example, the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, reports that the skilled trades are the hardest jobs to fill in the United States. Health care occupations, many of which require an associate degree or less, make up 12 of the 20 fastest growing occupations.
CTE fosters postsecondary completion and prepares students for jobs that are in high demand. According to research conducted by the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, four out of five secondary CTE graduates who pursued postsecondary education after high school had earned a credential or were still enrolled two years later.
CTE is a major part of the solution to a myriad of national economic and workforce problems, such as high school dropout rates, a weakened economy, global competitiveness, and massive layoffs. At a time when opportunity for employment is so critical, CTE programs in every community are ensuring students are equipped with the skills to successfully enter the workforce.
Aside from the statistics that prove how our programs can positively impact a young person's future, we at Tri-Cities ROP are proud of what we do. Serving approximately 4,000 students at six different campuses in two school districts is no easy feat; but we know that what we do has meaning and purpose. We shape the lives of young people and dedicate ourselves to guiding them along their educational and career paths. It doesn't get any better than that.
Today, we join with educators across the country to celebrate CTE Month. Everyday we celebrate the teachers behind it. Thank you for all that you do.