The Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) recently identified more than 30 programs that are reinventing secondary CTE, including programs delivered by public schools as well as by charter schools and nonprofit organizations.
CRPE, a nonpartisan research and policy analysis center at the University of Washington Bothell, identified 32 programs, schools and districts that are leading the way in reimagining CTE by:
- connecting students to high-demand, living-wage careers;
- preparing students for postsecondary success;
- delivering a relevant learning experience;
- focusing on equity; and
- using community resources.
These innovative programs and institutions include Worcester Technical High School in Massachusetts; Wheeling High School in Illinois; Wheat Ridge High School in Colorado; West-MEC in Arizona; STEM School Chattanooga in Tennessee; the marketing program at Southwest Early College High School in Pharr, Texas; Pearl-Cohn Entertainment Magnet High School in Nashville; Iowa BIG; and Genesee Career Institute in Michigan.
CRPE analysts used nominations, web searches and reports to identify 200 programs, districts and schools, which were then evaluated against a set of criteria that included enrollment data, program elements, labor market alignment and state performance data. Federal performance data was not a selection criterion.
While ACTE values increased recognition for CTE programs, the selection process used did result in a non-representative sample of programs, schools and districts, as acknowledged by CRPE analysts. This process likely missed some excellent CTE programs, particularly those that engage in less promotion and marketing.
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