Career and Technical Education Month

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 930, which will designate February 2008 as ``Career and Technical Education Month'' and recognize the important role career and technical education plays in the instruction of America's students.

Today, over 15 million students participate in career and technical education programs. Career and technical education programs offer diverse courses in subject areas that support the development of a competitive economy, and the courses are constantly evolving to meet the needs of the global market. For example, the Cisco Networking Academy has focused on giving students across the Nation hands-on activities within its 18 programs to prepare students for career opportunities in telecommunications and continuing their education.

Another such institution is Marshall Academy. This CTE program at this Fairfax, Virginia, high school strives to expose students to various career paths through a full line of technical and professional courses. Classes in business management, auto services, criminal justice, and culinary arts are bolstered through business partnerships with companies such as Microsoft, Sheridan Hotels, and Ford Motor Company. Career and technical programs like these are responsive to the business needs of the community and set students on a successful path for the future. These programs can be found throughout communities across the country and are integral to ensuring America's place in the global economy through the integration of science, math, and literacy in technical course work.

The success of CTE can be seen in the data that we have in students who participate in CTE courses. We know that students who take career and technical education courses are more likely to stay in school and, while there, obtain higher grade point averages than their peers. And we also know that when a course combines rigorous academic content with technical subject matter, students are encouraged to actively engage with their studies.

Additionally, career and technical education programs are an effective means of linking high schools with community colleges. These links introduce students to future learning opportunities and ease the transition to a post-secondary education.

Lastly, programs such as these help foster a highly educated and skilled workforce through internships, job shadowing, and other cooperative work experiences. These courses provide a foundation of skills that prepare students for gainful employment in the United States.

Studies have shown that students who participate in career and technical education programs have better employment opportunities and earn more than their general education counterparts.

I am encouraged by the many gains students have made through career and technical education programs and believe that a skilled workforce is paramount when competing in a global economy. In my district, there are four CTE school programs and I think like all Members across the country, they are extremely impressive institutions with great committed faculty and students who are totally motivated and engaged in the special skills that they have the opportunity to get a head start in terms of their future job growth and their job opportunities.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I express my support for Career and Technical Education Month, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source