Bridging Education and Workforce: Ohio's Vision for Student Success
By: Marcy Raymond, Strategy Officer, PAST Foundation
As a long-time advocate for innovative education approaches, I was excited to read Steve Dackin's interview with The74. As the new Executive Director of Ohio's Department of Education and Workforce Development, Dackin brings a fresh perspective on connecting students to meaningful career opportunities.
Dackin's vision resonates strongly with our work at PAST Foundation. He stated emphatically, "I think a good job is the quickest way out of poverty." This aligns perfectly with our focus on experiential learning and career preparation.
Drawing from his experience as both a school superintendent and community college administrator, Dackin sees workforce development as central to education's mission. He explained, "I just see this as the mission of the agency."
Importantly, Dackin outlined clear priorities for Ohio's education system:
"First priority is making sure kids can read and write. The second priority is making sure that they're able to be employed and have a path to a good job."
This dual focus on foundational skills and career pathways is crucial. At PAST, we've long advocated for integrating real-world applications into core academics. Dackin's approach validates the importance of connecting classroom learning to future opportunities.
Ohio's CTE26 process, which approves career-technical education pathway programs, aligns well with this vision. By ensuring CTE offerings meet industry needs and include work-based learning, we're giving students practical skills and experiences that lead to good jobs.
As we continue our work to transform education, it's encouraging to see state leadership that understands the vital connection between learning and earning. Dackin's perspective gives me hope that Ohio is moving in the right direction - preparing all students for success in both college and careers.
CTE26 Application and Pathway Approval for Funding from ODEW
In Ohio, the CTE26 process plays a crucial role in assisting students in achieving success in the STEM sector workforce through Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and Perkins V funding. The CTE26 process is a standardized application procedure with ODEW used to approve new or revised career technical education programs.
Purpose and Structure of CTE26 Pathway Application
The CTE26 application is designed to ensure that CTE programs meet state standards and align with industry needs. This process involves submitting detailed plans that outline program goals, curriculum, and partnerships with local industries. By adhering to these standards, schools can offer programs that are relevant and beneficial for students seeking careers in STEM sector careers.
Key Components
Program Approval-Schools must submit a CTE26 application for approval of new or revised programs. This ensures that the curriculum aligns with state standards and industry requirements, providing students with up-to-date skills needed in the workforce. Ohio’s Quality Program Standards for CTE
Industry Collaboration-The process encourages partnerships between schools and local businesses. This collaboration helps tailor programs to meet the specific needs of the STEM sector, ensuring students gain practical skills and experience. Career-Technical Education Innovative Pathway Program
Work-Based Learning Opportunities-Federal law defines work-based learning as “sustained interactions with industry or community professionals in real workplace settings, to the extent practicable, or simulated environments at an educational institution that fosters in-depth, firsthand engagement with the tasks required in a given career field, that are aligned to curriculum and instruction.” Ohio's CTE programs often include work-based learning components such as internships and apprenticeships. These opportunities allow students to gain hands-on experience in their chosen fields, which is critical for success in the STEM sector workforce. Work-based Learning Pathway Options
Pathway Alignment-Each pathway should have ramps to workforce, to post-secondary training and entry into university or community college. Ohio Career Clusters, Pathways and Programs
Benefits for Students
Skill Development: Through CTE programs approved via the CTE26 process, students acquire technical skills that are directly applicable to STEM sector workforce opportunities.
Career Readiness: The integration of academic and technical education prepares students for both postsecondary education and immediate entry into the workforce.
Dual Enrollment Options: Many programs offer dual enrollment opportunities, allowing students to earn college credits while still in high school, thus accelerating their educational journey.
Support and Resources
Each public school and school district is a member of a designated Career and Technical Planning District (CTPD), a collaborative approach to specialized training and economies of scale. Each CTPD provides assistance for completing the CTE26 application, ensuring that schools can efficiently and effectively implement these programs. Specifically, CTPDs help coordinate and collect data regarding program effectiveness while assuring that the member schools engage in long-term regional planning to align the CTE offerings with regional economic development goals and workforce needs. This support helps maintain high quality educational offerings that align with both educational standards and workforce demands for your program.
To find which of the 91 Ohio Career-Technical Planning Districts serve you, the following map may be helpful:
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