The current governor of California has placed a renewed emphasis on career technical education, changing course from prior administrations that only recognized college as the only path to student success. ACSA recognizes the importance of career technical education for all students and has continued to pursue it as a priority. As a result, ACSA created a CTE working group, chaired by Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, Chuck Weis, to review the issues surrounding CTE and provide a White Paper to guide the association when discussing legislation, talking about CTE to interest groups, and to provide direction to our members. The working group, comprised of a number of ACSA members with an interest in CTE, met over a few months to develop this paper. ACSA's Board of Directors adopted the final white paper at its February 2008 meeting.

Career technical education in California's high schools, regional occupation programs and adult schools can play a critical role in engaging students in academics that offer career and job opportunities of interest to all students. It is imperative that California's pre K-adult education system be reformed to ensure that all students are given the opportunity to complete rigorous academic coursework and acquire the necessary skills that will lead to postsecondary education, as well as training and employment. Comprehensive changes in policies that will lead to fully integrated and well-funded CTE programs are necessary to achieve this goal.

Below you will find the links to the Final Draft of ACSA’s CTE Position Paper and ACSA’s Talking Points on CTE.

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