Award Winning CTE Programs Blend Academic Rigor with Career Training

Contact: Contact: Martin Ackley, Director of Public and Governmental Affairs (517) 241-4395
Agency: Education

February 20, 2013

LANSING - Two Michigan schools have received the prestigious Excellence in Practice Awards from the Michigan Department of Education, recognizing exemplary practices in preparing Michigan's students for careers and higher education.

The awards recognize successful, exemplary state-approved Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and career initiatives. These are programs that demonstrate outstanding outcomes, produce measurable results for students, and meet the challenge of high academic rigor.

"Career and Tech Education is helping our state meet the very real and immediate challenges of student achievement, career and college readiness, and global competitiveness," said State Superintendent Mike Flanagan.

Early career preparation, including career exploration, career assessments, and comprehensive guidance and counseling, provides opportunities for students to begin thinking about the world of work.

"Through rigorous academic and technical preparation, relevant learning opportunities, and the supportive relationships of educators and families, students can complete the demands of the Michigan Merit Curriculum and still complete a CTE program that positions them for success in a post-secondary education and their chosen careers," Flanagan said.

Research shows that over 95 percent of Michigan students who complete a CTE program move on to postsecondary education, advanced training, employment or in military service, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Overall, 77 percent of students who completed a CTE program continued on to postsecondary education, with nearly 40 percent both employed and in school. Of those who continued on to postsecondary education, approximately 45 percent attended community colleges and 47 percent attended colleges/universities.

Clearly, the majority of students who complete a CTE program elect to continue their education and are in need of rigorous academic courses that lead to a smooth transition to training or education beyond high school without need of academic remediation.

The 2013 Excellence in Practice Award for Career and Technical Education Programs have been presented to:

Kent Career Technical Center
Hospitality Program

The Hospitality Program at Kent Career Technical Center is nationally recognized as a leader, earning accreditation from the American Culinary Federation Educational Foundation and 3-Star Green Certification from the Green Restaurant Association. This is the first secondary program in the state to receive certification from these prestigious organizations.

Students completing the program are highly sought after by local restaurants, food service, and hotel operations. Most of the students continue their education in post-secondary institutions, with college credit earned while completing the Hospitality Program.

A highly competent and experienced staff of six instructors and five support staff stay on the cutting edge of their industry through the assistance of an advisory committee comprised of industry professionals and college professors who ensure the curriculum is up-to-date and consistent with what is happening in the hospitality industry.

The program ensures students are prepared to meet the expectations of the marketplace utilizing a multitude of delivery styles including online learning, video demonstrations, practical applications, industry feedback, and other hands-on activities that bring traditional lectures to life. This opportunity affords students' the ability to earn English, Math, and Science academic credit and real-time customer service experiences.

Traverse Bay Intermediate School District Career-Tech Center
Teacher Academy Program

This innovative and creative program delivery model began in 2001 to expand options for students interested in a career in the field of education. It is an example of the power of a collaboration that includes two Intermediate School Districts, local school districts in multiple counties, and several post-secondary teacher preparation institutions, and has the support of their local communities.

Students in the program explore teaching as well as other careers in the field of education, such as school social worker, school psychologist, and speech and hearing specialists.

It is a unique delivery model that combines "any time, any place" learning, facilitated by technology, with actual in-school experiences. Teacher Academy students develop independent learning skills that prepare them for success at the post-secondary level and students have options to earn college credits.

This is a rigorous program where students participate in on-line instruction, facilitated by a Netbook provided to each student. Students use Moodle in an independent study environment that is self-paced, self-directed and offers the students many choices and options to personalize their learning.

Students work in elementary classrooms with host teachers to apply the concepts they are learning on-line as well as explore concepts in curriculum, assessment, and instructional technology through seminar experiences with area experts.

All students research post-secondary options; engage in community service at local museums and libraries; attend local school board meetings and parent conferences; and attend professional development events. All students complete a web-based electronic teaching portfolio, and experience at least eight different classroom placements during the two-year program. Students enrolled in this program gain an in-depth understanding of the demands and rewards of teaching in the 21st century.

The outstanding success of this program is documented not only by the numbers of students who successfully go on to complete a degree in Education, but also by the 20 former Teacher Academy students who have been hired for positions within local school districts in the counties served by the program in the last few years. Still other program alumni are working as educators in other areas of Michigan and in other states.