Okay, it’s back to Dewey21c, in the long shadow of the five-day online discussion about arts education.
In the next couple of days, my first guest blogger will appear. I am lining others up as well…
I wanted to get back on track with my regular blog by moving fairly far afield from the topics covered in the discussion.
Years ago, there were two tracks in high school: academic and vocational-technical (Vo-Tech).
Actually, there was a third track: drop-out. Some argue there still is that third track, although years ago not much attention was given to the high school drop-out rate. Students were often placed in one track versus the other, based on a number of factors including what was then called “aptitude.”. My dad ended up Automotive High School, a Vo-Tech track. My mom went to Tilden High School, an academic track.
Vo-Tech withered in the vine for a quite a while: there were many school districts that had turned a blind eye to this important option in secondary education. Today, your father’s Vo-Tech is now Career and Technical Education (CTE).
There’s a quiet revolution/evolution going on in education, thanks to CTE. The combination of high academic standards, significant professional development for teachers, required internships, mentorships, extensive interactions with professional in related fields, including industry partnerships, has led to high test scores, motivated students, strong school cultures, and an inkling of what the future of education could hold. And, this future is not “drill and kill.” It’s in the realm of the permeable school walls, as Susan Scalfani and Rudy Crew have written quite a bit about. And, there is a great opportunity for the creative sector here.
Finally, there are some key “soft skills” that are included in CTE, including career education, something I am going to write more about in the future.
Here are a couple of reports, work a look-see:
Schools That Work, by The Center for an Urban Future
The Future is Now, NYC Comptroller’s Office
Next Generation Career and Technical Education in New York City, NYC Mayoral Task Force
What it takes to Succeed in the 21st Century and How New Englanders are Faring, Jobs for the Future