Tuesday, February 8, 2022
February is CTE Month, a celebration of one of the most dynamic educational areas in our schools. It gives us all opportunities to celebrate innovations and excellence in career and technical education (CTE) that help our students gain real-world skills that lead to career readiness.
Today, CTE includes not only traditional pathways in manufacturing, agriculture, and the trades, but has expanded to include the whole spectrum of career pathways including STEM, digital technology, health sciences, and more to keep pace with our ever-changing economy. In other words, CTE is much more than an alternative for students who are not going to college; it is for ALL students.
Join our celebration of CTE in Wisconsin!
CTE Month Proclamations
Both Gov. Tony Evers and State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly have proclaimed February as CTE Month. Several career and technical student organizations (CTSOs) are celebrating special weeks during the month as well. You can print these out or have your town or your school proclaim CTE Month by using the blank proclamation in the CTE Toolkit.
State Superintendent to Visit Wisconsin CTE Programs
CTE Month enables us to look at and lift up CTE programs that are innovating in career and technical education. Dr. Underly will take her own look at six CTE programs around the state, and you can follow along on DPI’s Facebook (@WISDPI) and Twitter (@WisconsinDPI) accounts.
- Chippewa Falls High School: This visit begins with a visit to the PAES® lab for special education students. Then visitors will see the agriscience and business education programs, among others.
- Elmbrook School District/Wauwatosa School District: Highlighting the partnership between these two districts, this visit spotlighted the LAUNCH program and how it works.
- Luxemburg-Casco School District: Here, the spotlight turns to the Ahnapee Diesel Program in Casco Career Academy, the first credit-bearing diesel-only secondary program in the state. Then, the visit looks in on Luxemburg-Casco Senior High School’s manufacturing program.
- Racine Unified School District: Visitors will get a firsthand look at the Racine Academies, including their culinary, automotive, and construction pathways. And visitors will take in the school store and the Educators Credit Union, outstanding examples of school-based enterprises.
- Big Foot Union High School District: Big Foot has an outstanding agriscience program that visitors will get to see during FFA Week.
Check DPI ConnectEd in March for a wrap-up article about these visits.
Getting the Word Out About CTE
If you’re using CTE Month as an opportunity to recruit new members into CTE and CTSOs, remember to use the messages that surveys say are most effective:
- CTE learners gain real-world skills
- CTE learners explore careers to find their passion
- CTE prepares learners for college and career success
- CTE learners make valuable connections
Wisconsin’s CTE teachers and coordinators can be proud of the work they are doing. Thank you for your amazing programs!
Subscriber submission: Carol Hutchison, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s Career and Technical Education team