Colorado Association for
Career and Technical Education
2014-2015 Legislative Priorities
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School Funding
Strengthening the foundational support for career and technical education, including
increasing funding for programs and resources, provides a strong return on
investment and advances economic growth.
o Prioritize the restoration of funding for school districts, instructional support
personnel, and career and technical education programs.
o Ensure adequate funding is available for programs that build the capacity of
educational institutions to develop and offer career and technical education
programs.
o Maximizing the CTA line item and ensuring that the funding is distributed in
order to maximize as many programmatic reimbursements is a core concept
of funding within the CTA line item.
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Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness
The evolving policies of state accountability systems is taking diverse approaches to
define “career readiness” and measure student status and growth.
o Expand the capacity for Individual Career and Academic Plans to
accommodate career and technical education program pathways for
enhanced postsecondary and workforce preparation.
o Continue funding programs that assist students in college planning and
career preparation.
o Ensure access to quality career guidance and counseling services and career
exploration activities for all students.
o Ensuring the flexibility and funding for school districts and institutions to
contract for concurrent enrollment.
o Support access to and adequate planning support related to postsecondary
options for all Colorado students.
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Data and Assessments
The development of a variety of new data systems and assessments provides an
assortment of opportunities to integrate Career and Technical Education into a
student’s postsecondary and workforce plans.
o Integrating data from CTE into the variety of statewide longitudinal data
systems is essential for inclusion in longitudinal growth measures; educator
credentialing, professional development, and effectiveness measures; and
other measures utilized for educational accountability.
o Support assessments that measure academic, as well as application of, skills.
These measurements are essential in measuring proficiency of the standards
and longitudinal growth of students.
Colorado Association For Career And Technical Education • www.cacte.org • cacte@cacte.org
Educate • Advocate • Lead
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STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math and CTE
The elements of STEM are integral parts of our nation’s critical economic sectors.
Industry demand for mastery of the STEM principles is continually growing. Career
and technical education programs employ instructional approaches that strengthen
students’ understanding of STEM content and helps to attract more individuals to
STEM career pathways.
o It is essential to support understanding of STEM career pathways in order to
facilitate student transitions into these areas, build interest in STEM and
STEM-related careers by making math and science content more relevant
and tangible through integration and help grow the STEM workforce pipeline
by encouraging more students from underrepresented populations to enter
these career fields.
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Career Training and the Job Skills Gap
The Career and Technical Education system plays a large role in the development of
innovative training programs that are vital to Colorado’s workforce and industries.
o Support programs that offer students and workers in a wide variety of
different situations the opportunity to gain and update current skills, develop
new skills and knowledge and obtain the necessary certificate or degree for
desired employment.
o Flexible programs must be developed to accommodate the needs of
underemployed or unemployed workers that often struggle to fulfill the time
requirements of school due to other responsibilities and commitments.
o The development of internship and apprenticeship programs provide
students with real-world career experience and academic program credit.
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Concurrent Enrollment
Students benefit from the opportunity take college level classes or advanced training
courses for certificated professions while in high school. These courses not only count
towards high school graduation, but also place students in a better position for
employment or matriculation into post-secondary options.
o Ensuring the flexibility and funding for school districts and institutions to
contract for concurrent enrollment should be maintained at the state level.
o Any opportunity for increased funding for concurrent enrollment should be
maximized.
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Partnerships and Collaboration
The US economy depends on a skilled workforce. As current employment opportunities
are phased out and new ones are developed, it is imperative that the systemic
connections and pipelines between industry, education and workforce development
programs are strengthened.
o Support the increased utilization of common measurements and data sharing
capabilities.
o Enhance linkages between adult education, higher education institutions, job
training programs and the business community.
Colorado Association For Career And Technical Education • www.cacte.org • cacte@cacte.org
Educate • Advocate • Lead