This policy brief provides recommendations for CTE leaders on how to address short-and long-term priorities with the new funding authorized through the ARP. This toolkit provides state CTE leaders with initial action steps and key areas for considerations:
- Prioritizing Longer-Term Investments in CTE Systems;
- Equity-Centered Learner Supports;
- Addressing Unfinished Learning; and
- Promoting Innovation.
What makes Career Technical Education (CTE) unique, like the ability to participate in hands-on, work-based learning experiences, earn meaningful industry- recognized credentials and connect directly with employers, present specific and complex challenges when being delivered virtually. Within these challenges lies opportunity, and the pandemic can and should serve as a catalyst for change in the way states consider offering CTE programs to ensure that each learner - no matter their race, ethnicity, age, gender or zip code - is afforded access to and equitable delivery of high-quality CTE in their communities.
Prioritizing CTE Through and Beyond COVID-19
COVID-19 (coronavirus) has caused a significant disruption in our education system. Career Technical Education (CTE) has been particularly affected due to the nature of instruction and required laboratory- and work-based learning components. As state agencies are focused intently on their reopening plans — many of which do touch upon CTE — state CTE leaders need to consider the wide array of challenges unique to supporting CTE learners and programs through this transition and beyond.
Advance CTE’s new resource is designed to help states identify and prioritize those actions and activities that will ensure that learners stay supported and that CTE programs continue to grow and thrive.
Prioritizing CTE Through and Beyond COVID-19 is a tool for state CTE leaders to leverage when planning for short- and long-term priorities. The resource asks state CTE leaders to reflect on the past and future impact of the coronavirus on CTE learners and programs, consider how to use data and engage the field to make informed decisions, and identify key action steps to assist the state in preparing for and implementing strategies to provide quality, equitable CTE this coming year.
Download Prioritizing CTE Through and Beyond COVID-19 here (Word, PDF).
Advance CTE Reopening Tracking and Analysis
U.S. Department of Education
Donation or loan of PPE guidance, U.S. Department of Education
Perkins V State Plans and COVID-19 – FAQs Round 2, U.S. Department of Education
Perkins V State Plans and COVID-19 – FAQs, U.S. Department of Education
Resources for Schools and School Personnel, U.S. Department of Education
Fact Sheet for protecting students’ civil rights during COVID-19, U.S. Department of Education
Guidance on Eligible Recipients of CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, U.S. Department of Education
Other
Map of Coronavirus and School Closures, Education Week
Map and database of state-by-state updates on actions taken by education systems in response to COVID-19, ExcelinEd
US COVID-19 50-State Tracker, Dentons
Coronavirus: What You Need To Know, National Governors Association (NGA)
A memo that looks at how states are regulating work-based learning programs during the crisis, NGA
Advance CTE Response
A webinar reviewing the CARES Act in detail and it's connection to education and the workforce, Advance CTE
COVID-19 supplemental letter to Congressional leadership, Advance CTE and ACTE, March 20, 2020
CTE priorities for future stimulus package: A Letter to Congress, Advance CTE and ACTE, April 8, 2020
Letter to U.S. Department of Education expressing concerns of student eligibility under Emergency Financial Aid Grants, Advance CTE and ACTE, April 23, 2020
Letter in strong support of the Emergency Educational Connections Act of 2020 (H.R. 6563), Advance CTE and 50+ National Organizations, April 22, 2020
Letter in response to the proposed HEROES Act, Advance CTE and ACTE, May 13, 2020
Letter in strong support of the provisions in the HEROES Act 2.0 (H.R. 925), that would establish an Emergency Connectivity Fund, Advance CTE and 60 Education and Related National Associations, November 20, 2020
Letter in strong support of an increase in funding for the E-rate program in the next emergency stimulus package, Advance CTE and 55 Education and Related National Associations, December 11, 2020
Note: Advance CTE does not promote any vendors or materials specifically.
Restart and Recovery: Considerations for Teaching and Learning, Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO)
Reopening Schools in the Context of COVID-19: Health and Safety Guidelines From Other Countries, Learning Policy Institute
A Plan to Safely Reopen America's Schools and Communities, AFT
Note: Advance CTE does not promote any vendors or materials specifically.
Fall Distance Learning Resources, PLTW
Free courses (until May 31st) through CTE Learn for CTE educators to prepare to teach online, ACTE
Lesson plans, projects and model course outlines, CTE Online
Global CTE Toolkit, Asia Society
CTE on the Frontier brief that covers distance learning including case studies of North Dakota's Interactive Television program and Idaho’s virtual learning academy, Advance CTE
Online tools for 7 CTE subject areas, iCEV
Resources for teaching accounting online, AICPA
3D design learning at home, Makers Empire
Computer Science Academy online, interactive and free, Carnegie Mellon University
Learning computer science when schools are closed, Code.org
High-quality tools, resources and support for educators and parents, CTE Education Coalition
FCS Content-Specific E-Learning Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Educators
A shared drive of lessons in all career clusters and pathways, Pittsburg State University
Free Online Career Development Resources, Kuder
Online, active learning for building-trades students, Home Builders Institute (HBI)
CTE learning through AR/VR experiences, zSpace
COVID resources for the CTE community, NOCTI
On-line courses through the Career Essentials curricula, SkillsUSA
Webinars addressing e-learning and digital resources for health science educators, National Consortium for Health Science Education (NCHSE)
CTE-relevant topics best suited for remote education, Chmura
Learning management system and resources for business and marketing educators, MBA Research
Communities of Practice for agriculture educators, National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE)
Three Steps to Digital Success for Career and Technical Education, National Geographic Learning and Cengage
Information technology currculum, educator training and software thourgh a free Oracle Academy membership, Oracle
Resources for educators in STEM and CTE, Southern Regional Education Board
Note: Advance CTE does not promote any vendors or materials specifically.
Connecting college planning to career pathways, College2Career Fairs
Guidance for building a sustainable pathway for disconnected youth to a high school diploma and a meaningful college credential with online instruction, Achieving the Dream
Q&As about Federal Student Aid, An Office of the U.S. Dept. of Education
Handling clinicals, apprenticeship and more, Community College Daily
Statewide guidance documents specifically connected to college in high school programs, College in High School Alliance (CHSA)
Free exam prep tool for CompTIA certification exam, CompTIA and Amplifire
Postsecondary resources for those interested in contruction and design, ConstructReach
Interview skills training through May 31st, CareerSafe
Note: Advance CTE does not promote any vendors or materials specifically.
A web-based program for students to learn and practice typing skills, Typing Club
Note: Advance CTE does not promote any vendors or materials specifically.
Parent and Community printables, ACT
Rapid Response Resources: COVID -19, including specific resources for states, PIE Network
Resources for Learning from Home During COVID-19 School Closures, Thomas B. Fordham Institute
Tips for Distance Learning for Adult Basic Education, EdTech Center
Moving to Flexible Deliveries infographic, Teaching and Learning Center
Matching Technology to Components of Instruction infographic, Teaching and Learning Center
Keep Calm and Keep Teaching infographic, Teaching and Learning Center
Resources to help educators, out-of-school-time providers, parents and families, and community leaders support their young people during this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, America’s Promise Alliance
Distance Learning Resources, The Smithsonian
Searchable database of education technology tools, Tech for Learners
The Shift to Online Teaching: translating proven higher ed practices to virtual classrooms, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Distance Learning Center: Broadcast Schedule, WGBH
Educational Resources for Teachers, Parents and Communities, Roadtrip Nation
MindTap, an online solution for Career and Technology Education, National Geographic Learning and Cengage
Learning Never Stops, online tools for remote teaching and learning, Networking Academy, CISCO
Note: Advance CTE does not promote any vendors or materials specifically.
Supplemental Fact Sheet addressing the risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities, U.S. Dept. of Education
What COVID-19 Means for Incarcerated Students: Isolation, Uncertainty, & a Loss Sense of Humanity, New America
Coronavirus Equity Considerations, NAACP
COVID-19 and Homelessness: Strategies for Schools, Early Learning Programs, and Higher Education Institutions, SchoolHouse Connection
Two New Resources to Support Students with Disabilities During the COVID-19 Crisis, National Center for Learning Disabilities
Free membership and access over 8,000 captioned and described educational videos, The Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP)
A State Policymaker’s Guide to Equitable Transitions in the COVID-19 Era, Education Commission of the States
Materials for teaching ethics and ethical decision-making, MBA Research
Note: Advance CTE does not promote any vendors or materials specifically.
ACTE Virtual Conference Planning Guide: Background and information needed for preparing and delivering your conference or meeting online, ACTE
5 Tips for Managing Remotely During COVID - 19, The Management Center
An organization with a fully virtual staff, published an article, Making the Most of “Going Virtual” in Response to COVID-19, Education First
Resources to help educators, out-of-school-time providers, parents and families, and community leaders support their young people during this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, America’s Promise Alliance
Coronavirus Crisis Communications Triage Kit, The Communications Network
Principles for Higher Ed’s response to COVID-19, AFT and AAUP
Event planning guidance, World Health Organization
Planning and leading your virtual meetings, Vivayic
Managing your work-based learning activities, Seamless WBL
Note: Advance CTE does not promote any vendors or materials specifically.
Vocational Education Continues Despite School Closures, The Enterprise
COVID-19 Education Innovations: Solution Spotlights in Florida, South Carolina and Massachusetts, ExcelinEd
Local schools 3D print protective masks for medical personnel, The Patriot Ledger
USDA Announces Feeding Program Partnership in Response to COVID-19, U.S. Department of Agriculture
The ED Games Expo “Goes Virtual” to Support Distance Learning, Institute of Education Sciences (IES)
ECMC Foundation Commits $1.5 Million to Aid Students Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic, ECMC Foundation
CTE educators find creative ways to teach hands-on skills during coronavirus school closings, Education Dive
With Labs Closed, N.H.'s Career And Technical Students Try To Continue Hands-on Learning, New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR)
How-to Webinar: Help flatten the curve by producing face shields, ITEEA
Advance CTE has produced fact sheets for states as they navigate CTE during Coronavirus. View a listing of all Advance CTE's fact sheets here.
Distance Learning in Rural Communitites
April 2020
Rethink how to provide high-quality CTE with limited social contact when access limitations are a barrier.