CTE Presidential Scholars Nomination Process Announced

Earlier this summer, President Obama signed an Executive Order expanding the U.S. Presidential Scholars program to include CTE students specifically. At the end of the upcoming school year, the first class of 20 Presidential Scholars in CTE will be presented awards in Washington, DC, for their “outstanding scholarship and demonstrated ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.”

For the first year of the program, the nomination process will be streamlined while final guidelines and procedures are being developed. Each Chief State School Officer will be allowed to nominate five graduating seniors for the CTE award as part of the nomination process that is used for the broader U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

In a letter shared by the U.S. Department of Education, each Chief is encouraged to select CTE students based on their academic rigor, technical competence, employability skills, and ingenuity and creativity.

Nominations are due from each Chief State School Officer by October 15, 2015. Students nominated will then be asked to complete an application provided by the U.S. Presidential Scholars program office. These applications will be due in February, and the 2016 U.S. Presidential Scholars will be selected by the Commission on Presidential Scholars and announced in May. Winners will then receive the Presidential Scholars Medallion at a ceremony in their honor in Washington, DC, in June.

Each state Chief State School Officer can handle the internal process of selecting students to nominate however they see fit, so make sure to connect with your state leaders to find out more and ensure your talented students are considered for this prestigious award. 

Comments

[Francine Martella]

As a Business Teachers Association board member, I am more than pleased to read this announcement regarding the recognition of CTE students. Please forward the link for nominations.

Regards,
Francine Martella,
Rochester Director, BTANYS

[Alisha Hyslop]

Francine, each state will handle its own nomination or selection process separately, so unfortunately we can't provide a link. I'd encourage you to check with your state CTE director to see if they know yet how it will be handled in your state by your Chief State School Officer. Thank you for your interest and comment--we can't wait to see the students who are recognized!