Strengthening the connection between Career and Technical Education (CTE) and secondary academics was on the agenda recently when a group of Carpentry and Automotive instructors from around the state met with a group of high school English and mathematics teachers. The discussion was how CTE programs are in fact academically challenging and how the “hands-on” approach to instruction bridges the gap between theory and the real-world application of skills and knowledge.
The 36 educators and CTE specialists from Maine DOE were put to the task of reviewing the standards from the National Center for Construction Education Research (NCCER) and the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) standards in reaching the conclusion CTE students’ proficiency in the graduation standards (of the revised Maine Learning Results) coincides with these students attaining industry-related standards and credentials underpinning all CTE programs.
It is envisioned that this pilot process will be replicated in the next school year with instructors from other CTE programs such as Culinary Arts, Health Occupations, Precision Machining, and Agriculture. In the future, when new science standards are adopted, a similar process will investigate the basic intersections between CTE and scientific knowledge at the high school level.
For Career and Technical Education program information, contact the Maine DOE’s CTE Director Margaret Harvey at margaret.harvey@maine.gov or 624-6739.