Giving Compass' Take:

· Although career and technical education programs are expensive to have, they are an integral part of preparing students for the workforce. To continue providing these programs, Education Dive explains how partnerships with local businesses and the $1.3 billion in funding from the US Department of Education can offset these costs.

· When do students begin preparing for their future careers? What are the best ways schools can partner with local businesses to provide students with real-world experiences?

· Read more about career and technical education and its importance. 

Since CTE students often land high-paying jobs right out of high school, local businesses are an ideal place for the students to earn some real-world experience. A 2018 ExcelinEd report recommended that policymakers offer tax credits for businesses who give high school students internships. The report also urges practices that make it easier for students to work face-to-face with industry professionals.

Three federal laws have an impact on CTE programs — the Every Student Succeeds Act, the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Schools leveraging these three programs can create better pipelines for students to work in careers that don’t require four-year college degrees, Scott Stump, U.S. assistant secretary for career, technical and adult education, said at a meeting for state school board members in April.

Read the full article about career and technical education by Shawna De La Rosa at Education Dive.