Today's modern economy brings with it modern challenges. Significant job growth in fields like health care and computer science requires a greater share of the workforce to have some type of postsecondary degree or training. To equip students — particularly those from underserved communities — for this reality, states, districts, and schools must rethink the pipeline from school to work.

Career and technical education (CTE) is one path forward. Over the past four years, media mentions of CTE have quadrupled. In 2017, 49 states and Washington, D.C., enacted more than 200 new policies related to CTE and career readiness. This year, at least one-third of governors prioritized workforce development and CTE in their State of the State addresses — and for good reason.

Rigorous programs of study, or sequences of coursework that culminate in a certificate or credential; apprenticeships that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction; and work-based learning experiences provide students with the skills they need for middle-class jobs or postsecondary education and training. The possibilities for rethinking CTE are extensive, but schools need strategies that mix flexibility and autonomy with their own creativity.

With more states, districts, and schools prioritizing this work, it is crucial that they make a direct connection between the learning opportunities they offer and labor market demands. Districts and schools should collaborate with local industry partners to design relevant CTE pathways, courses, and curricula, and expand student access to work-based learning.

But while school governance structures and course offerings may vary, high-quality CTE programs must all have one thing in common: increased opportunity for students to succeed in today’s economy.

Read the full article about career and technical education programs by Samantha Batel at The 74.