CTE and 21st century skills in college and career readiness.

Hyslop, Alisha

THE CONCEPTS OF COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS have become central to conversations about education reform efforts on the local, state and national levels. In October 2010, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium (NASDCTEc), and the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21) came together to emphasize that career and technical education (CTE) and 21st century skills should be central components of these conversations. The groups assert, "States, districts and educators will be more effective if they take on the 21st century readiness challenge comprehensively: the knowledge and skills embedded in CTE and the 21st century skills framework together provide the education system students need now."

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In the report "Up to the Challenge. The Role of Career and Technical Education and 21st Century Skills in College and Career Readiness," ACTE, NASDCTEc and P21 explore shared understandings and common strengths of CTE and P21 efforts, emphasizing that: "Integrating 21st century skills and CTE into the entire education system will put more students on the path to success." Consider the following excerpt from the report's executive summary:

* College and career readiness is the new direction for K-12 education. Preparing students to transition, without remediation, to postsecondary education or to careers that pay a living wage, or both, is the ultimate aim of federal and state education policies, initiatives and funding.

* Very few K-12 schools can meet this goal for all students today. Most schools have neither the expectations nor the measures, neither the instructional programs nor the learning environments, to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to compete and succeed in a global economy.

* This is all too evident in numerous and varied indicators, including increasing international competitiveness (both economic and educational); a lack of qualified workers and a skills imperative from employers; mediocre student performance; an achievement gap and a dropout crisis in K-12 schools; and a proliferation of remediation in higher education.

Creating a Better Path to College and Career Readiness

A comprehensive strategy to teach both knowledge and applied skills--including the "4 Cs" of critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration, and creativity and innovation skills--is one that employers, educators and the public are ready to support. In addition, employers want prospective workers to acquire at least some level of industry-specific technical skills before they enter the workforce.

ACTE, NASDCTEc and P21 are essential partners in shaping a unified vision of college and career readiness. Our three organizations and the communities we represent share understandings that should inform the nation's efforts to improve 21st century readiness.

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Incorporating CTE and P21's Framework for 21st Century Learning throughout the entire education system will help transform learning experiences and outcomes for all students. A unified vision of college and career readiness will empower every educational stakeholder to work more effectively in preparing all students to succeed. A more strategic alignment of CTE programs and the Framework for 21st Century Learning with the entire education system will help break down the silos among academic, CTE and 21st century initiatives, programs and teachers. Making these connections will position CTE as a premier course of study for college and career readiness for all, not just some, students.

Many CTE educators believe that fostering 21st century skills is a real strength of their programs--and one that is not inherent in many traditional education systems. A more intentional focus on the full range of 21st century skills by CTE program leaders and practitioners--and by all education leaders and practitioners--will improve results in programs that do not yet teach these skills comprehensively.

Together, ACTE, NASDCTEc, P21 and the communities we represent have much to learn from one another--and much to contribute to all of education.

Recommendations for Education Leaders

In order to capitalize on the synergies between 21st century skills and CTE to promote college and career readiness, "Up to the Challenge" presents discrete recommendations to policymakers, CTE and P21 advocates, and education leaders. Specific recommendations to education leaders focus on building the infrastructure, programs and relationships that support 21st century readiness:

* Close skill gaps by providing students of all ages with access to education that delivers the knowledge and skills necessary to be highly competitive in the labor market.

* Partner with business and industry organizations to develop and implement rigorous programs of study that integrate academic subjects, 21st century skills, and technical knowledge and skills.

* Support professional development and professional learning communities that foster collaboration between CTE and other educators, as well as administrators.

* Support policies that require all students to have a personalized learning plan that clearly maps out a comprehensive strategy to achieve their education and career goals.

* Partner with business and industry organizations to ensure that performance assessments and credentials earned by students reflect mastery of 21st century skills.

You can access a copy of the full report and recommendations by downloading the publication from the ACTE Web site at www.acteonline.org/reports.aspx.

Alisha Hyslop is assistant director of public policy for ACTE. She can be contacted at ahyslop@acteonline.org.