2018 was an active year for policies affecting career and technical education (CTE) not only at the federal level, but among states, too.
Reauthorization of the federal Perkins Act last summer garnered much national attention, but an annual report by the Association for Career and Technical Education and Advance CTE shows that states also were busy, passing 54 policies affecting postsecondary education, 26 on workforce development and 13 related to adult education.
As in 2017, more policies affected the secondary system than other systems. However, about one out of every four policies in 2018 affected multiple systems, the report said.
Thirty states tackled policies regarding CTE funding, followed by: industry partnerships (26 states); dual/concurrent enrollment (20 states); and industry credentials (18 states).
The report shows that states continue to support CTE and student success through the various policies passed in 2018, such as setting ambitious graduation requirements and expanding dual and concurrent enrollment opportunities, said Kimberly Green, executive director of Advance ATE.
“We were especially excited to see the focus on access and equity, and look forward to support states as they continue in this important work,” she added.
The report highlighted various new states policies, with apprenticeships and dual-enrollment programs among those more frequently cited. They include:
- New Jersey’s new bond-supported $500 million initiative to expand secondary and postsecondary CTE programs.
- Washington’s new scholarship program to help foster and homeless youths entering postsecondary education to pursue apprenticeships.
- New York’s funding of 15 early college high school programs that align with in-demand industries in communities with low graduation or postsecondary transition rates.
- Iowa funded a program to encourage small- and medium-sized businesses to develop registered apprenticeships.
- Maryland expanded its statewide youth apprenticeship program, which provides apprenticeships for students ages 16 and older and links them with career pathways in manufacturing and STEM.
- Illinois passed legislation to allow students to take an unlimited number of dual-enrollment courses.
