Career And Technical Education

Vocational Education has been around throughout history in ways that were not noticed as a trending way for education. After the wars, families were self-sustained through personal knowledge and self-learned skills needed to survive. As society, advanced, newer, more efficient ways of completing tasks and learning took place, to include assistance outside the home, so families could better provide for itself. It was through these advancements that paved the way to vocational education as we know it today. There has been

Over the last decade—from 2004 to 2014—the share of graduates with debt rose modestly (from 65% to 69%) while average debt at graduation rose at more than twice the rate of inflation.” and According to the Department of Labor, as of 2008, 17 million college graduates were in positions that did not require a college education. 1 in 3 college graduates had a job that required a high school diploma or less in 2012.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) or “vocational education” provides preparation and skill building for careers. Some high school students will enter the workforce without additional training, but many will receive secondary CTE professional certifications. The goal of CTE is to connect students with growing industries in the American economy and give them the skills and training required for long-term success. However, little is known about CTE. Therefore, students lack access to high-quality secondary CTE.

The increasing cost of higher education in the United States has been a continuing topic for debate in recent decades. American society emphasizes the importance of education after high school, yet the cost of higher education and advanced degrees continually rises at a greater rate than inflation in the 1970’s. According to the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, cost factors prevent 48% of college-qualified high school graduates from pursuing further education (McKeon, 2004, p. 45). The current system requires the majority of students to accumulate extensive debt with the expectation that they gain rewarding post-graduate employment to repay their loans.

Have you ever wondered why you couldn’t take a class at school that truly interests you, such as learning about the culinary arts or discovering the ins and outs of being an emergency medical technician? Vocational education is an option that is becoming increasingly popular for students seeking a wider variety of class choices. Sometimes, when people hear the words “vocational education,” a negative image pops into their minds. Many people believe that vocational education is primarily offered to non-college bound students, dropouts, or students with special needs. What people don’t realize is that vocational education can give students the opportunity to improve their employability skills, become informed about different career options, and learn helpful skills they can use throughout the rest of their lives even before going to college and being released into the real world. Therefore, I believe that vocational education should be offered to students.

College is a dream that almost every American wants to come true, however, with the extreme rise in the costs of tuition it is a dream that has quickly turned into a nightmare. “Tuition at a private university is now roughly three times as expensive as it was in 1974, costing an average of $31,000 a year; public tuition, at $9,000, has risen nearly four times,” (Davidson). “For the average American household that doesn 't receive a lot of financial aid, higher education is simply out of reach,” (Davidson). That is why many students have begun questioning the worth of a college degree and if the amount of debt that is received upon exiting college is all for the better. And considering that costs have risen much faster than the rate of inflation, many are starting to believe that college just isn 't necessary any more. However, according to White, economically, the answer would still be a yes. “While unemployment rates for new grads and experienced workers alike have fluctuated throughout the recession and recovery, the earnings premium that college-and advanced-degree holders enjoy over their peers who didn 't attend college has remained relatively stable, and in some instances, grown, according to the report that was released this week,” (White). A study was shown that many college grads are able to get earnings that are significantly higher than those who did not get enough education or only hold a high school diploma (White). Even

Throughout the centuries, economy and education grow from apprenticeships and applied learning of the 18th century to a more mechanization in the 19th century followed by just in case learning of the 20th century to the just in time learning of the 21st century. As time goes through each century career technical training was correlated to economic development, and preparing students for job skills and postsecondary education. Throughout the evolution of economic needs, the U.S. Federal and State Government provided funding through educational acts by setting aside money to also prepared students for the workforce. Career Technical Education is breaking barriers on gender, race, and low-income students by deemphasizing vocational as not only specific skill based education, but also as a broad pathway leading to a more prosperous career if students should decide to continue to a postsecondary institution. This shift opened Career Technical Education to all students who are looking for courses that will articulate from secondary to postsecondary institutions. The tech-prep opportunity increased high school graduation rates

Four-year University cost nearly $42,500 per year, while state schools cost at average $19,000 per year. Students face increasing prices for a college degree that raise at a much faster rate than both inflation and income levels. Students should not face a life of debt to earn the chance to graduate with an education that might lead them to a fulfilling career. The more a student holds off their education to work at a part-time job increases their costs even higher and takes away their potential, hands-on career experience by graduating on time. It certainly is more expensive than ever to earn a college degree and the job market is still recovering from a crippled economy from the recent recession. Underemployment for college graduates is at 15 percent—despite that percentage—it fairs much better than the 37 percent of underemployment faced by high school graduates, according to the article. Nothing is more discouraging and unrewarding than working at a minimum wage job while having a college degree. In this job market, those that obtained a degree fair a lot better than those without a

Dual enrollment, four year universities, community colleges and trade schools. I’ve seen people with college educations that have terrible jobs and no real prospects, and I’ve seen people without degrees, or with technical certificates, that are wildly successful and happy with the choice they made. Yet we continue to see the disparities between those that have vocational training or a two or four year degree, and those that do not.

College costs and their recent increases cannot be discussed entirely without first examining the importance of the topic. It is common for people without student loan debt to overlook the topic due to their perceived lack of relativity it is has to their life. This thought process is harmful because much of our society does not quite understand the ways in which student loan debt affects our nation’s economy. Student loan debt directly effects how soon many people begin to make life’s larger purchases, which in turn slows down the flow of the economy. Many Americans are also more inclined to base their career selection on how well they will be able to repay their student loans. With this in mind lower paying jobs, like those in social work, are suffering from a shortage of employees while jobs with higher pay, such as technical work, have seen a major

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department and the courses taught in this department of the Danville Public School systems is required to adhere to the guidelines and regulations set forth by the Virginia Department of Education and the local school district. In addition, as a recipient of Carl D. Perkins funds, other guidelines and regulations as outlined in the grant must be followed. As student enroll and complete academic work in a CTE course, industry and work readiness certifications are available. In 2012, the General Assembly passed into law, HB 1061 and SB 489, to strengthen postsecondary education and workplace readiness opportunities for all students. (Education) The new regulation required that each student

The public is in debate whether or not college is worth its’ lofty price. College graduates will earn 73 percent more than high school graduates. Someone with a graduate degree will earn an average of $49,900. Compared to that, someone with just a college or Bachelor degree will earn $35,700, and someone who will only graduate with a high school degree will earn $30,800 (Kelley). Strictly looking at those statistics the price of college seems like a fair trade. “The advantage for

Another statistics presented by Collegeboard shows that "In 2010 11, about 57% of public four year college students graduated with debt. They had borrowed an average of $23,800 (in 2011 dollars)" (Student Loan Debt Statistics). $23,800 is not a small amount to much of the middle class today, and unless graduating with a bachelor's degree increases the chances for employment, it's simply not worth it. In fact, a 2012 study from Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce titled "Hard Times: Not All College Majors are Created Equal," shows that "Unemployment figures show the jobless rate for recent college graduates with bachelor's degrees has been running at an unacceptable 8.9 percent" (Loose). An average of $23,800 in loans to support a 4 year college attendance plus an unemployment rate that is above national average, " considering the national unemployment rate in March 2012 was 8.2 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Labor." (Loose) just points to the undeniable fact that joining the work force serves as a better alternative for students today. Students attending work force will have a solid advantage over college attendees by not only able to avoid the high cost for college tuition, but also developing practical skills that benefits their work experience.

The increasing cost of higher education in the United States has been a continuing topic for debate in recent decades. American society emphasizes the importance of education after high school, yet the cost of undergraduate and advanced degrees continually rises at a greater rate than inflation. According to the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, cost factors prevent 48% of college-qualified high school graduates from pursuing further education (McKeon, 2004, p. 45). The current system requires the majority of students to accumulate extensive debt with the expectation that they gain lucrative post-graduate employment to repay their loans.

Career and technical education, CTE, prepare individuals with the skills needed to efficiently grow into various high demand careers. Career and technical pathways create a system where students of all ages can become better prepared for the workforce. Career and technical education is applicable to college students and adults, but is most commonly embroidered into high school students learning style. The CTE path involves the grind between academics, technical skills, and work specific attributes in which each adds onto another to develop a more prepared individual. Provided that career and technical education has been around for a while, it has proven itself to be an exceptional method for students to embed into their studies.