Media Contacts:
Richard Klein, rklein@nbpts.org
Steve DeWitt, sdewitt@acteonline.org
Las Vegas, NV — The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (National Board) are pleased to announce their partnership to further serve career and technical education (CTE) professionals and advance student outcomes. Together, the two organizations will work to promote a greater understanding of the pivotal role that accomplished teaching plays in high-quality CTE that prepares students for college and career success.
“CTE plays a powerful role in preparing students for postsecondary education and the workplace, and it is important that educators leading these programs have an opportunity to inform national conversations on the professional development and career supports that teachers need to meet new student learning and industry needs,” said Susanne Silk, National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT), National Board board member and Business Professionals of America advisor in Sayre, OK.
Silk also co-chairs an advisory group that has been formed to guide this partnership and advance high-quality, accomplished CTE education. “Furthermore, Board-certified teachers have achieved the standards that are known to measurably enhance student learning, and I believe that our partnership with ACTE will expand opportunities for CTE professionals to advance their practice for years to come,” she added.
A professional learning community of CTE teachers will lead the partnership activities. They will identify the instructional shifts and professional development supports necessary to implement rigorous CTE content standards, meet diverse student learning needs, and improve teaching. Beginning with ACTE’s VISION 2016 Conference, teachers will be given an opportunity to discuss these topics and identify the steps necessary for grassroots and teacher-led local initiatives and networks that will disseminate teacher-identified recommendations to policymakers and business and industry leaders.
“As an NBCT, ACTE member and National FFA Organization advisor in Columbus, NJ, I’ve spent decades focused on career and technical education,” said advisory group co-chair Dr. Robin McLean. “I’m excited by this partnership. It has the potential to position teachers to lead discussions that call attention to the CTE educators’ career continuum. This community will address teacher needs, including the fulfillment of professional learning requirements and identification of ways to advance educators’ careers. Strong career pathways for students require strong career pathways for teachers.”
The partnership will launch at ACTE’s VISION conference, December 2, 2016 in Las Vegas, NV with an informative session from 12:15 – 1:15 PM PT for interested CTE educators and a meeting from 1:30 – 2:30 PM PT for those interested in caucus leadership and membership. The session is open for members of the media wishing to join CTE educators in the Las Vegas Convention Center, room N-226. For more information on the VISION conference events, contact ACTE’s Deputy Executive Director Steve DeWitt.
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The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, guidance counselors and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy and public awareness as well as access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities.