Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network CTE groups were busy this month – and it only makes sense - since February is Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month. This brief history of CTE gives a good overview of the development of this important educational and career pathway.
The CTE Collaborative Workgroup had the pleasure to hear from the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE), U.S. Department of Education, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Luke Rhine, during their quarterly meeting. Information on OCTAE’s current initiatives under the Biden administration were shared, as well as the desire to continue the conversation as we move forward to increase inclusive postsecondary education programs and students in CTE pathways. Products underway include a Fast Facts resource on The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) that reauthorized the Carl D Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins IV), as well as a guide to developing an inclusive postsecondary education program focused on career technical education.
The CTE Affinity Group also met in February with members from across the nation. The focus of the discussion was identifying industry recognized credentials (IRC) students with intellectual disabilities are earning and the barriers and facilitators students experience while earning them. Director Katie Norland, Transition & Access Program (TAP), University of Cincinnati and Christian Zimmerman, Project HIRE (How I Reach Employment), Fort Myers and Cape Coral Technical Colleges, both shared barriers and key factors to success they’ve experienced. The next Affinity Group meeting, to be held May 23, 2023 at 3 pm ET, will focus on Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) connections with CTE as we discuss how agency collaboration is essential for program success.
If you are interested in learning more about inclusive postsecondary education programs that focus on CTE or if you currently have a program and want to look at ways to incorporate CTE, reach out to Dr. W. Drew Andrews (drew.andrews@ucf.edu), Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network – CTE Collaborative Workgroup lead.
Additional Resources:
Apprenticeship Inclusion Models
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/program-areas/individuals/youth/inclusive-apprenticeship
Introduction to Stackable Credentials
https://cte.ed.gov/initiatives/stackable-credentials-tool-kit
Postsecondary CTE for students with intellectual disabilities
https://www.acteonline.org/tech-increase-access-to-ipse/
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) & Career and Technical Education (CTE)