For Immediate Release: June 2, 2016
Contact: Renee Rybak Lang, renee.lang@nasbe.org, 703-740-4841
NASBE Policy Update Urges States to Capitalize on ESSA Incentives to Align Academic and Career Programs
Alexandria, Va – Despite policymakers’ efforts to integrate and align core academics with career technical education, the two disciplines remain stubbornly separate in many states. A new NASBE policy update outlines incentives the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides for states to propel students toward postsecondary success, and it notes three states—Kentucky, Tennessee, and California—that are making significant headway.
ESSA requires states to develop plans to align academic standards with standards for state career and technical education (CTE) and postsecondary instructional requirements. The new law also allows states to use Title II funds to support teacher professional development related to CTE and includes direct student service provisions for disadvantaged students.
“Career Readiness and CTE in a Post-NCLB World” suggests that states that view academic and career programs as a single track—reinforcing elements on the road toward getting all students ready for college, careers, and civic life—are well positioned to implement ESSA’s CTE requirements. States can take policy actions that enhance the rigor of both academic and CTE programs and promote coherence among courses; prepare all educators—not just CTE educators—to integrate CTE, academic, and work-based learning; encourage partnerships between schools and employers; incorporate career-relevant indicators in state assessment and accountability systems such as attainment of industry credentials or performance assessment results; and leverage CTE as part of a school improvement strategy.
States like Kentucky, Tennessee, and California are modeling effective career-readiness policies. Kentucky has focused on breaking down barriers between college and career readiness by centralizing oversight for CTE programs at the state level and incorporating industry certification and ACT WorkKeys assessment results into the state’s accountability system. Tennessee strengthened the rigor of its CTE program by eliminating redundancies, revising course curricula to meet workforce demands, and assessing success. California aligned nearly 13,000 CTE courses to meet statewide college admission requirements set by the University of California system, and its “Bridge to the Future” plan ensures CTE programs in the state are dynamic and responsive to changing workforce needs.
Read “Career Readiness and CTE in a Post-NCLB World.”
The National Association of State Boards of Education represents America’s state and territorial boards of education. Our principal objectives are to strengthen state leadership in education policymaking, advocate equality of access to educational opportunity, promote excellence in the education of all students, and ensure responsible lay governance of education. Learn more at www.nasbe.org.
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