eplc
THE EDUCATION POLICY AND LEADERSIDP CENTER
800 North Third Street • Suite 408 • Harrisburg, PA 171 02
717-260-9900 • FAX 717-260-9903 • www.eplc.org
Career and Technical Education Project
A Project of The Education Policy and Leadership Center (EPLC)
The Career and Technical Education Project of EPLC is intended to improve access to, and
utilization of, high-quality career and technical education programs for Pennsylvania high school
students that are linked to real job opportunities
In early 2016, EPLC will publish a report of findings and actionable recommendations for various
audiences, including state policymakers, intended to address issues concerning the governance and
funding of CTE programs, student access to CTE programs, as well as the quality and available job
and career relevance of such programs.
We have a window of opportunity for educators, policymakers, and business and community leaders
to work together to transform career and technical education in Pennsylvania so that it is more
responsive to the needs of both students and employers. Surely we have some exemplary models
here in the Commonwealth. The House of Representatives has created a Select Committee on
CTE. Members of the State Board of Education have raised the issue. Governor Wolf included CTE
initiatives in his proposed budget for 2015-2016. And business leaders increasingly identify this as a
significant workforce development issue.
Project Activities
•
EPLC has been setting the stage for this Project since mid-2014. This has already included
"testing" interest among stakeholders, gathering information, looking for exemplary models, and
extending invitations to individuals to serve on the Project Study Group.
•
The Project Study Group includes more than 25 individuals representing a broad range of CTE
stakeholder perspectives and has been meeting since early in 2015 in face-to-face meetings and
by conference calls.
•
The Study Group will conduct a series of regional site visits that will include open forum
discussions.
•
Statewide Surveys will be taken of several stakeholder groups.
•
EPLC will publish the project report in February 2016, to be presented at the PACTA
conference.
•
EPLC will disseminate the report and promote discussion and action concerning its
recommendations throughout the remainder of 2016.
Sign-up for Updates
We're building a database of individuals who have an interest in career and technical education
issues and would like to keep informed about the progress and results of this Project. If you would
like to be added to the list, send an email with your contact information to Mattie Robinson
Robinson@eplc.org with the subject line: CTE Newsletter.
EPLC/CTE Project - November 2015