Silver Spring, MD – States made Career Technical Education (CTE) a priority in 2019 with at least 45 states and Palau enacting at least 208 policy actions related to CTE and career readiness, an increase of four states and more than 60 policies compared to 2018. Today, Advance CTE, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), and a new partner in this annual report, Education Commission of the States, released their seventh annual report, State Policies Impacting CTE: 2019 Year in Review.
This report highlights major trends in CTE and career readiness policymaking, as well as provides a short summary of each policy enacted. Funding, industry partnerships/work-based learning and industry-recognized credentials took the top three policy categories this year, followed by policies addressing governance and access and equity.
“The roughly 200 CTE-related policies enacted in nearly every state highlight just how important CTE is to learners and the 21st century economy,” said LeAnn Wilson, ACTE’s Executive Director. “From priorities like funding, credentialing, work-based learning, access and equity, and more, this year’s report shines the light on ways in which states are acting to grow and strengthen CTE programs. As every state confronts the skills gap in a myriad of industries, high-quality CTE programs are more important now than ever.”
“State leaders enacted a great number and array of innovative and impactful policies this year, incentivizing work-based learning and credential attainment, expanding funding for CTE and providing scholarships to learners to gain access to a certificate or degree, as just a few examples,” said Kimberly Green, Executive Director of Advance CTE. “We are encouraged by the leadership of states to ensure each learner has access to a high-quality CTE program of study in their community.”
Education Commission of the States tracks hundreds of legislative bills each year through its State Education Policy Tracking resource, which helped inform the context and direction of this annual report. “Workforce development — encompassing CTE and other critical connections between education and the workforce — is top of mind for state leaders,” said Education Commission of the States President Jeremy Anderson. “We have seen it in bill tracking, among governors’ stated priorities, and in requests for information or assistance that we receive from the states.”
Advance CTE is the longest-standing national non-profit that represents State Directors and state leaders responsible for secondary, postsecondary and adult Career Technical Education (CTE) across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Established in 1920, Advance CTE supports visionary state leadership, cultivates best practices and speaks with a collective voice to advance high-quality CTE policies, programs and pathways that ensure career success for each learner.
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities.
About Education Commission of the States
We believe in the power of learning from experience. Every day, we provide state education leaders with trusted information and opportunities for collaboration. We do this because we know that informed policymakers create better education policy. Learn more at ecs.org.
Press contacts:
Katie Fitzgerald, Advance CTE
Jarrod Nagurka, ACTE
Mandy Zatynski, Education Commission of the States
