Career and technical education (CTE) is for all students.Earlier this year, the Department published articles on how CTE programs are preparing students for post-secondary success and helping build Iowa’s talent pipeline for the careers of today and tomorrow. As was noted in these articles, CTE programs prepare students for a wide range of careers, including agriculture, business, computer science, advanced manufacturing, engineering, health care, and culinary arts. I have observed powerful examples of each of these this year, including students building a house in Carlisle, operating a school-based restaurant in West Bend-Mallard (I recommend the strawberry bruschetta!), and creating businesses like Rocket Manufacturing in Rock Valley and Big Cat Industries in Logan-Magnolia. These programs shatter the myth of vocational education programs tracking academically challenged students into low-quality classes. Today’s CTE programs in Iowa offer high-quality learning opportunities for all students. Delivering a well-rounded education is critical in preparing students for post-secondary success Iowa’s recently approved Every Student Succeeds Act plan emphasizes the importance of a well-rounded education. This isn’t just lip-service to disciplines and activities that were often overshadowed during the days of No Child Left Behind. As I’ve visited schools and attended events around the state, I’m constantly reminded of the important role the arts and extra-curricular activities play in preparing students for post-secondary success. As a member of the Iowa High School Athletic Association Board, I attended state tournaments in soccer, baseball, football, wrestling, basketball and track and witnessed individual and team performances that created indelible memories for students and instilled lessons like the importance of integrity and perseverance. I also watched outstanding fine arts performances like the Des Moines Roosevelt High School Bridges2Harmony group at a Martin Luther King Day event and the student-directed “Friday Night Lights” production at Waukee High School. These opportunities help students develop learning and leadership skills that will last a lifetime. From Director Ryan Wise
Celebrating career and technical educationDate: Wednesday, February 7, 2018Today’s career and technical education (CTE) programs are preparing students for college and careers like never before in the state’s history. Gone are the shop classes of yesteryear, replaced with course work that requires students to apply academic skills to real-world applications that mirror in-demand jobs. “Today’s CTE programs combine technical, academic and employability skills in a hands-on environment that makes learning relevant for students,” said Jeremy Varner, community college and workforce preparation division administrator for the Iowa Department of Education. In recognition of the role CTE has in preparing students for college and careers, Governor Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation today recognizing February as CTE month in Iowa. The month coincides with a national campaign celebrating achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs across the country. In fact, in today’s knowledge-based, hyper-connected world, CTE is experiencing a renaissance. Students and parents are seeing the benefits provided by high-quality CTE programs aligned with workforce needs that offer clear pathways to industry certifications and postsecondary credentials. In Iowa, CTE programs prepare students for a wide range of careers, including agriculture, business, computer science, advanced manufacturing, engineering, health care, and culinary arts, among others. This rebirth has been fueled by legislation signed into law in 2016 to ensure CTE programs align the needs of students, employers, and the state’s economy. Part of that includes developing regional planning partnerships across the state to expand student access to high-quality CTE programs. Currently, there are 15 such partnerships aligned to Iowa’s 15 community college regions. “The old-school mentality of CTE as vocational educational isn’t the case anymore,” said Lisa Folken, director of Kirkwood Community College’s Jones County Regional Center, where students from area high schools have access to cutting-edge programs in a centralized location. “Students have access to career-focused, capital-intensive programs. Not only do they get a taste of a career, in many cases they leave with industry credentials and certifications. With these stackable credentials, students can go right into work and be highly marketable, or finish a degree at Kirkwood or elsewhere and have a lot of opportunities at their disposal.” Providing students with high-quality CTE programs, such as those offered through the Jones County Regional Center, is in line with the state’s Future Ready Iowa initiative, which focuses on making Iowa’s talent pipeline a more skilled workforce. Future Ready Iowa’s goal is for 70 percent of Iowans in the workplace to have education or training beyond high school by 2025. CTE ClustersAt the high school level, CTE programs are organized across 16 career clusters that are grouped within six broad service areas:
Business, management, and administration, including finance and marketing.
Agriculture, food, and natural resources.
Information solutions, including information technology and arts, audio/video technology, and communication.
Applied sciences, technology, engineering and manufacturing, including architecture and construction; transportation, distribution, and logistics; and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Health sciences.
Human services, including education and training; hospitality and tourism; government and public administration; and law, public safety, corrections, and security.