The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 2006 was aimed at providing an increased focus on the academic achievement of career and technical education students, strengthen the connections between secondary and post secondary education. Career and technical programs are dedicated to preparing young people to manage the dual roles of family member and wage earner. These programs enable students to gain entry- level employment in a high-skill , high-wage job and also helps them continue their education.
The purpose of the Act is to develop the academic, career and technical skills of student who enroll in the career and technical education program by developing challenging academic and technical standards to meet the demand of occupations in current or emerging professions.
The Act also aims at developing services and activities that integrate rigorous and challenging academic , career and technical instruction, conducting national research and disseminating information on best practices that improve career and technical education programs, services, and activities. These programs provide individuals with opportunities throughout their lifetime to develop without compromising their educational goals.
The program also provides an industry recognized credential, a certificate, or an associate degree apart from academic knowledge that challenges higher order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of an industry, including entrepreneurship, of an individual. The financial provisions for the support of the program is provided in TITLE I PART A- Allotment and Allocation.
The Career and Technical Education(CTE) provides direction and leadership to the CTE programs throughout Texas, the Unit staff assists districts with the implementation of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills(TEKS) for CTE, they also collaborate with various professional organizations regarding CTE programs and assist in overseeing the textbook and other instructional materials adoption process. The CTE also provides communication related to curriculum and graduation requirements.
I work in a charter school and we do not have a career and technology program, however, we do have a carpenter shop that teaches carpentry as an elective, I did speak to the department and learned that, the CTE program could add lot of academic value to many of our students. Most of our students come from poor social backgrounds, and do need a job as they transit form school to college, such a program could help them "earn while they learn", support their families and also continue their education. Most of the skills acquired through such programs are high need, high-wage jobs that would provide financial stability and an opportunity for continuing their academic pursuit.
