On October 30 and 31, ACTE participated in the 4th U.S.-China State and Provincial Education Leaders Dialogue: Technical and Vocational Education and Training. The meeting gathered officials from the U.S. Department of Education and the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, U.S. State and Chinese Provincial Education Chiefs, and career and technical education (CTE/TVET) directors and providers. ACTE also provided input related to planning prior to the event
The two-day dialogue included a focus on national, and state and provincial CTE/TVET policies and work-based learning and industry partnerships. ACTE Deputy Executive Director Stephen DeWitt participated on a panel moderated by Meridian Technology Center Superintendent and CEO Dr. Douglas Major in Stillwater, OK. ACTE’s High-quality CTE Program of Study Framework was referenced as well as other elements of high-quality CTE. Daniel Domke, CTE Director for the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District in Fairbanks, AK presented on his District’s CTE program in a panel featuring State and Provincial Perspectives.
Secretary of Education Betsey DeVos opened the event and referenced the importance of people-to-people learning exchanges, and the indivisibility of education and the economy, especially given the interconnectedness of today’s world. OCTAE Assistant Secretary Scott Stump participated in the event and reinforced messages related to the apprenticeships and business-education partnerships theme. He also noted the importance of the new Perkins V related to CTE in the U.S.
The two-day event included much sharing about the CTE/TVET systems in each nation as well as tours of Northern Virginia Community College and Montgomery College programs.
Other Trump Administration News
In other CTE-related Trump Administration news, the President recently hosted an "Our Pledge to America's Workers Event." There, National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow and presidential advisor Ivanka Trump joined the President and various business leaders to highlight new industry commitments to create training opportunities. As part of the event, a FIRST Robotics student spoke about her experience in CTE and how it has helped her find a career that interests and excites her.
This is extremely interesting to read about and is really exciting that we are having Career and Technical conferences with other nations, especially with a nation like China who is radically different from the United States. I think it is very important that we continue this trend with China and hopefully can branch out to other countries when it comes to this educational matter. We can learn so much from one another, especially when it comes to education. Different nations may have ideas about how to promote Career and Technical Education that we here in the United States have yet to think about or pursue. Also, the fact that there is such great room for growth when it comes to industry partnerships due to these types of conferences is outstanding. Hopefully we can continue these types of conferences and maybe we can even conduct a nationwide conference in the area of CTE. It would be exciting to hear that one day we have a nationwide committee or something of that nature for CTE. I could imagine it as a meeting of different nations where they share national and worldwide trends in Career and Technical Education, new and exciting techniques and practices, and many other things. This would also positively impact the diversity and inclusion rates amongst all in the CTE field.
Posted by: Devin Coon | 11/18/2018 at 12:08 PM