FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on information presented to the Legislative Research Commission Study
Committee on Career and Technical Education (CTE) during its regularly-scheduled
meetings, the Committee reports the following findings and makes the following
recommendations to the 2013 General Assembly:
L. Increase the skills of high school graduates in occupations with high employment
potential.
According to current data shared from the State Board of Education, even though slightly
over half of high school graduates (Sl%o) complete a CTE program, this number
represents nearly a 5Vo decrease in completers since 2006. Currently there are also only
about 5000 students enrolled in the dual-credit enrollment Career and College Promise
Career and Technical Education Pathway. In addition to these statistics, according to
current data shared by the NC Department of Commerce and the State.Board of
Community Colleges, a "skill gap" exists, and is projected to continue to exist, in
occupations relying on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The jobs that
are available in these fields require specific coursework, intemships, and industry
certification that may be obtained durrng high school and/or at two-year or four-year
colleges/universities. The Committee finds that in order to decrease the current
unemployment rate and help meet the needs of the current and futrne job market that:
o The State Board of Education and the State Board of Community Colleges
should collaborate to increase the number of students engaged in CTE, especially
in engineering and industrial technologies by:
o Creating incentives such as endorsements added to high school diplomas;
o Sharing resources to increase access to a wide variety of CTE courses and
internships; and
o Exploring strategies to engage younger students in the CTE program,
including early and ongoing college and career counseling.
. See attached LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL 2013-TLz-lB lv.20l
2. Streamline the CTE teacher licensure process to increase the pool of available
instructors, especially in high need employment areas.
The Committee understands that it is extremely difficult to recruit CTE instructors due to
salary differentials, employment shortages in some professions, e.g., nursing, and the
extended time commitment needed to obtain teacher licensure. The Committee therefore
strongly encourages the State Board of Education to review its teacher licensure policies
for CTE instructors in order to make this process as accessible as possible. The State
Board of Education should also explore alternative professional development, mentoring,
and curricular models that would support CTE instructors who may not have an extensive
teaching or classroom management background. Finally, the Committee encourages the
State Board of Education and the State Board of Community Colleges to explore the
feasibility of sharing instructors to increase full time employment and salary possibilities.
o See attached LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL 2013-TLz-lB tv.20l
Career and, Technical Education-LRC Page 14