Monday, September 16, 2019
Welcome back to the 2019-20 school year from all of us on the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Team at DPI. We are excited to kick off a year that brings together much of what we’ve been working on for the last few years. Let me dive right into what’s happening around secondary CTE!
Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V)
Since the Perkins V reauthorization, our team has been hard at work collaborating with the Wisconsin Technical College System on a Perkins V State Plan that will take CTE to new heights. We’re grateful for your feedback during the stakeholder engagement sessions and hope you’ll take the time to read the draft State Plan and participate during the public comment period (September 15-October 15).
You play an important role in realizing our vision for Wisconsin CTE: To build equitable career pathways that empower Wisconsin students for career success.
Pathways Wisconsin
You may have heard about JPMorgan Chase New Skills for Youth, a three-year grant that provided the platform for creating regional career pathways in four pilot regions. The pilot program, Pathways Wisconsin, brought employers together to help build a “ready-made” ACP for high-skill, in-demand occupations that offer multiple career opportunities after high school. Though the grant is ending this year, some of the valuable lessons learned have made their way into the Perkins V State Plan.
Academic and Career Planning (ACP)
All school districts in Wisconsin have designed an ACP process that ensures every student graduates with his or her own personalized academic and career plan. CTE is a critical piece of the ACP Explore and Plan stages for students. The ACP connections to CTE programs, career-based learning experiences, and work-based learning programs lean heavily on business partnerships to build capacity.
Wisconsin Standards for Personal Financial Literacy
Academic standards are the foundation for building curriculum. This year, the Wisconsin Standards for Personal Financial Literacy (WSPFL) are in the midst of a revision cycle. A draft for public comment is expected in February 2020. Learn more here.
Robotics League Participation Grants
Again this school year, DPI is offering grants that encourage young people to develop an interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Eligible teams include students in 6th through 12th grades, and the maximum award is $5,000. Applications are due October 15 for the competition year ending June 30, 2020. For details, visit the grant website.
Let’s Promote CTE!
Finally, let’s continue to promote CTE in our schools across the state. Tell us about the wins, small or large, occurring in your school and program. We enjoy hearing from you, and we are stronger together. Share your success stories. And remember to follow us on social media.
Happy back to school everyone from the entire CTE Team!
—Submitted by Sharon Wendt, Team Director, and Sara Baird, Assistant Director, Career and Technical Education, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction