Dollars & Sense for Texas Ed: Career & Technical Education

By Donna Bahorich

Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Everyone knows we are in the midst of a high tech revolution. Do most of us realize however that public schools are also in the midst of a revolutionary change that will better align with the high tech requirements of college & career readiness?   If you havent walked through the Career and Technical Education (CTE) area in your local school district (ISD) lately you might not yet recognize this revolution. Lets walk the halls" through just a few examples to give you a peek:

• Albany ISD has a high school where students manage a real fish farm program as part of their Agricultural study. They have a great deal of community support.
• GE has partnered with Galena Park ISD to send five to eight engineers every day to their Project Lead The Way" program to work alongside students on robotics projects.
• Architects give tutorials and critique student work at Dallas ISDs Skyline High School.
• As part of their Animation study students in Lewisville ISD learn 2-D and 3-D techniques as seen in Shrek or Toy Story.
• The Culinary students at James Bowie High School in Austin ISD design and prepare from scratch a five course meal offered several times a year to some lucky parents and staff.
• At Weslaco ISD those in Health Sciences spend time at medical facilities gaining hands-on experience in several healthcare areas.

With the recommendations of teachers and the business community the State Board of Education (SBOE) in 2009 revised the curriculum standards for the 195 CTE courses supporting college and career readiness. These courses are grouped into 16 career clusters (groups of occupations sharing common features-details at TxCareerClusters.org). Though not required to offer all sixteen clusters ISDs must offer at least three clusters. Examples of the wide variety of courses available in the clusters are:

1. Aircraft Rescue & Firefighting
2. Biotechnology
3. Entrepreneurship
4. Transportation Systems Management
5. Floral Design
6. Fashion Design or Marketing
7. Principles of Accounting
8. Public Administration and
9. Digital Forensics

According to the National Skills Coalition the U.S. job market breaks down as follows:  50 of jobs require education beyond high school but less than a 4-year degree while 30 of jobs require 4-year degrees and 20 are considered low-skill. We must continue the drive toward high curriculum standards and proper preparation so our students can fill the 80 of jobs requiring education beyond high school. A key factor in school reform efforts is an accurate understanding of the skills required for the full range of jobs available in the 21^st century. Texas is the number one state for business. With rigorous coursework in foundational subjects as well as CTE students can seize the opportunity that fits them best right here at home. Though eight out of ten students now take at least one CTE course advanced CTE courses offer opportunities for internships or attainment of industry certifications/licensures and college credit. In 2009-2010 CTE programs saved families $45 million in potential college course tuition and fees through articulated college credit. Certifications/licensures were earned by 25000 students in 2007-2008. The Texas Education Agency data show that students who take two or more CTE courses have a significantly lower dropout rate and higher scores on state assessments. We all benefit when students stay in school because we have engaged and expanded their vision for their own futures. The cost to earn a 4-year public university diploma is now approaching $80000. Middle class families as well as those of limited means are reluctant to take on a debt of this size. According to the American Council on Education roughly 78 of college students work. With the ability to earn higher wages as a result of CTE course work they can better earn the money necessary to pursue their educational aspirations. We have much work to do to get the word out to every student and parent regarding the opportunities in CTE. Change in preconceived notions can take time. Many still think of the old days of shop classes." Below are a few of the key challenges we must confront:

• Securing qualified teachers to teach high tech courses
• Increasing access to more clusters to appeal to more students
• Getting articulation agreements in place with every community college in Texas
• Expanding opportunities to earn college credit and certifications/ licensures
• Ensuring students get full college credit for qualified advanced coursework
• growing industry and regional partnerships such as the work of Tech Prep in the Rio Grande Valley for cost containment curriculum input internships job-shadowing teacher training and employment
• Funding the equipment needed to stay current with industry standards
• Introducing all students in 8^th and/or 9^th grade to career options and market data on salaries and industry growth potential as well as opportunities to assess their interests and goals. We need to engage students at the time when many begin to lose interest.
• Expanding the definition of the Texas Distinguished Achievement Program to create space for advanced CTE coursework
• Fitting in job site opportunities at local businesses during the school day

No matter the challenges exposing students to real-world learning opportunities where they can see the connection between school and a career is critical. Real world real jobs real futures. CTE just makes dollars and good sense for Texans! Candidate Donna Bahorich is the Republican nominee for SBOE District 6. More information about the Bahorich Campaign can be found at www.Donna4Texas.com.