January 2021 Career and Technical Education Resolution

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS February 1-28, 2021, has been designated National Career and Technical Education Month; and

WHEREAS about 1.4 million Texas secondary students are enrolled in one or more career and technical education (CTE) courses in 1,200 school districts and charter schools throughout the state; and

WHEREAS CTE offers students the opportunity to gain the academic, technical and employability skills necessary for career readiness; and

WHEREAS students in CTE programs participate in authentic, meaningful experiences and apply academic knowledge and skills from across the curriculum which improve the quality of their overall education; and

WHEREAS CTE is a vital and integral part of the Foundation High School Program, offering students pathways to earn endorsements, performance acknowledgements, and industry-validated credentials; and

WHEREAS Texas is proud to support nine CTE student organizations – Business Professionals of America; DECA Texas Association; Future Business Leaders of America; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; Health Occupations Students of America; SkillsUSA Texas; Texas Association of Future Educators; Texas FFA Association; and Texas Technology Student Association; and

WHEREAS CTE programs prepare students for a variety of careers by offering integrated programs of study that link secondary and postsecondary education and significantly contribute to college readiness; and

WHEREAS ensuring that employers have access to a qualified workforce is crucial to the Texas economy; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the State Board of Education, which has been designated by the Texas Legislature as the State Board for Career and Technical Education, does hereby proclaim February 1-28, 2021 as Career and Technical Education Month in Texas, and does hereby urge all Texans to become familiar with the outstanding programs delivered by exceptional CTE teachers in communities across the state, and to support these programs to enhance college and career readiness for all Texas students.

WITNESS our signatures this twenty-ninth day of January, two thousand and twenty-one, in Austin, Texas.

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Keven Ellis, Chair

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Georgina C. Pérez, Secretary