Advance CTE’s annual Excellence in Action award applications are open! This award recognizes exemplary local programs of study across the 16 Career Clusters that demonstrate excellence in the implementation of the Career Clusters, show a true progression from secondary to postsecondary education, provide meaningful work-based learning opportunities, and have a substantial and evidence-based impact on student achievement and success.
 
WHY APPLY?
This award will showcase your program of study on a national platform at conferences, in the media, on our website and blog, and more.
In fact, all winners were highlighted in Education Week in May, a few of the 2016 award winners were highlighted in a recent op-ed in Real Clear Education, while a student from Upper Valley Career Center, a 2015 award recipient, was profiled in the New York Times. Advance CTE provides winners with a press release and two-pager to circulate to their networks, resulting in a number of articles featuring winning programs.
 
AWARD CRITERIA & ELIGIBILITY
Criteria: Selected programs will exemplify excellence in:

• Implementing Career Cluster®-based programs of study;
• Maintaining effective employer and business partnerships;
• Demonstrating alignment to rigorous and relevant college- and career-ready expectations;
• Demonstrating a clear progression of knowledge and skills and student transitions across secondary and postsecondary systems;
• Integrating successful career guidance and advisement;
• Integrating high-quality work-based learning experiences;
• Highlighting alignment to workforce and employer needs in the community; and
• Providing concrete data on the program of study’s impact on student achievement and success at both the secondary and postsecondary levels.

Eligibility:

• This award is open to any secondary or postsecondary schools or colleges in the United States. Your school or institution may submit one application per Career Cluster;
• The program of study must have at least one full graduating class or cohort; and
  Applications that do not include data to support positive impact on student achievement will not be eligible for consideration.

Join us for a webinar on November 10 at 11 a.m. ET that will dive into the application process, and feature a few of the 2016 award recipients and a member of the selection committee who will provide tips on what makes an award-winning application.
Katie Fitzgerald, Senior Associate, Communications