Quentin Suffren is the Senior Advisor of Innovation Policy for ExcelinEd.
Last week, ExcelinEd released its fifth and final career and technical education (CTE) playbook, Aligning State Career and Technical Education Programs with Industry Needs and Priorities. In this post, ExcelinEd’s Innovation Policy Managing Director Quentin Suffren shares highlights from the new playbook. Enjoy!
Today, we’re examining the final steps in ExcelinEd’s Career and Technical Education Playbook Series to strengthen state CTE programs: developing programs of study that align to postsecondary and in-demand career opportunities. To achieve this alignment, states can consider taking the following actions:
To begin, policymakers must define what high-quality CTE programs look like and align programs with those priorities. Policymakers can consult the following sources to define elements of high-quality, aligned CTE programs that fit their state context:
After establishing a clear definition for programs of study, policymakers can establish a theory of action that articulates the priorities and means for verifying program quality. This living document can guide policymakers through the overall alignment process.
Next, policymakers can begin the process of aligning programs to postsecondary and workforce opportunities. This effort cannot be accomplished inside a single agency. Rather, aligning programs requires the engagement of multiple public and private sector stakeholders. There are two approaches to achieve this.
Regardless of the approach, the development of aligned, high-quality state CTE programs of study is a multi-phase, multi-step commitment on the part of policymakers. The first phase involves identifying key stakeholders, completing three major activities to improve program quality and developing essential planning documents.
Implementation of the updated or new programs of study will be the work of local districts and schools, and this work is intensely regional and local in nature. While no playbook can foresee all the implementation challenges that lie ahead—or consider all local or regional contexts—there are some key steps that states should take to support local implementation and address ongoing issues that will arise:
ExcelinEd’s CTE playbook series explores strategies and processes states can use to strengthen CTE program quality and provide students with pathways to postsecondary credentialing and middle- and higher wage career opportunities. Learn more at ExcelinEd.org/CTE-Playbook-Series.
