Schools push career ed classes ‘for all,’ even kids heading to college — from hechingerreport.org by Javeria Salman
As backlash to ‘college for all’ grows, a new ‘CTE for all’ model blossoms. Backers say it engages students and prepares them for the future, but others worry it comes at a cost
The credit union is one small piece of a districtwide effort, Academies of Louisville, to embed career and technical education, or CTE, alongside core subjects like math and English and require every student to pick a career pathway by 10th grade. Piloted in 2017 at 11 high schools, the model has expanded to all 15 of the district’s main high schools. As part of that effort, the district has also launched a career exploration program at 14 middle schools, partnered with local colleges and universities to provide dual credit courses and smoothed the path for students to graduate with industry-recognized certifications.
The Academies of Louisville is one of roughly 30 such programs that are working to provide CTE for all students, regardless of whether they plan to go to college or directly into the workforce, according to Jessica Delgado, marketing and communications director of Ford Next Generation Learning, which supports school districts in adopting the approach.