On Feb. 12, the New Jersey School Boards Association released a report, “New Dimensions in Career and Technical Education,” which examines topics such as enrollment capacity, staffing, programming, facilities and funding of CTE in New Jersey. 

The 146-page report is the result of a six-month study by the NJSBA Committee on Educational Opportunities for the Career-Focused Learner, a 13-member group representing local boards of education, school administration, business and industry, and higher education. The committee was chaired by Ray Morris, a member of the Newton Board of Education.

“New Dimensions in Career and Technical Education” is an update to the 2018 report from the Association’s Task Force on Educational Opportunities for the Non-College Bound Learner. 

“The Association has authored a number of task force reports on important topics. These reports are living documents that provide the most value when they are periodically reviewed,” said Karen Cortellino, M.D., NJSBA president, who appointed the members of the committee. “It was time to update the findings and recommendations of the 2018 task force.”

The report reviews key findings and recommendations of the group, summarizes recent developments and their impact on CTE and makes 29 recommendations for action by boards of education, school districts, state government, business and industry, NJSBA and other entities.

In addition, the report includes information on effective programs and best practices currently in place in the state’s public schools.

Committee Findings  The committee found that career-focused learners have benefited from developments including New Jersey’s Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act; the federal Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V); grant programs aimed at expanding CTE in comprehensive high schools and promoting apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships; state initiatives addressing dual enrollment; increased collaboration between comprehensive high schools and county vocational-technical schools and partnerships among secondary schools, higher education and business and industry. 

However, challenges remain with program capacity, funding, staffing and awareness of post-secondary pathways, among other areas. 

“I believe there is a new awareness of the importance of career and technical education — both for students and for our society as a whole,” said Dr. Timothy J. Purnell, NJSBA executive director and CEO. “As we prepare students to enter a workforce that will be impacted by advances such as artificial intelligence, it is critical that they be aware of the full breadth of post-secondary career and education pathways and that they have access to these opportunities. This report offers recommendations and resources that will assist educators in providing students with the tools they need to be successful and productive.”

The full text of the report, “New Dimensions in Career and Technical Education,” from the NJSBA Committee on Educational Opportunities for the Career-Focused Learner is posted here. The executive summary of the report is also available online.