The intent of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 2006 focused on the academic achievement and career and technical education students by strengthening the connections between secondary and postsecondary education, and by improving state and local accountability. The 2006 reauthorization of this legislation includes the term “career and technical education” in the place of “vocational education.” The Tech Prep program is maintained as a separate federal funding component within the legislation. As well, state administrative funding at 5%of a state’s allocation is maintained. Academic and technical content across secondary and postsecondary education is included with new guidelines for “programs of study” strengthening local accountability provisions that will provided for continuous program improvement. Providing approximately $1.3 billion in federal support for career and technical education programs in every state in the country, the Perkins Act will extend through 2012.
The purpose of Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 2006, as stated above is implemented by the states developing challenging academic and technical standards and helping students to meet these standards that include high skill, high wage, or high demand occupations in contemporary or promising professions. By promoting services and experiences to develop rigorous and challenging academic and career and technical instruction that connects secondary education and postsecondary education for students involved in career and technical education, the intent of the act is furthered. State and local diversity of services and activities are designed to develop, implement, and improve career and technical education that also includes tech prep education. To meet the guidelines of this legislation, school districts conduct and disseminate national research and information on best practices that improve the districts’ career and technical education programs. Technical assistance with the legislation promotes leadership, initial preparation, and professional development at the State and local levels. It improves the quality of teacher, faculty, administrators, and counselors in conjunction with career and technical education. Support is provided by partnerships with secondary schools, postsecondary institutions, baccalaureate degree granting institutions, local career and technical schools, area workforce investment boards, and business and industries. Finally students are given opportunities to develop throughout their lives with other education and training programs, the knowledge and skills needed to keep the US competitive (http://www.hawaii.edu).
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The Frisco Independent School District offers a career and technical education program through its recently built facility appropriately named, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center. This state-of-the-art facility houses real-world learning spaces and equipment that offers more than twenty programs of study for students in 9th through 12th grades. The center currently serves approximately 1,700 students and houses Studio 08 and Deli 08 (a fully operational restaurant and deli with outdoor dining open to the public), Texans Credit Union (with student tellers open to the public), The Spot (retail store offering spirit wear, school supplies, and snacks for students and the public), an HDTV studio, a courtroom, a career counseling center, Apple and PC Computer testing labs, a 4,000 square foot greenhouse, a working welding and metal workshop, hospital bays, a large animal corral, and an outdoor jogging trail.
With the mission of preparing students to succeed in high demand occupations within the 21st century’s competitive global economy, courses are designed to be individualized to meet each student’s career and educational goals. All programs meet the high school recommended graduation requirements. While all introductory classes and core classes are completed at each student’s home campus, the advanced courses are taken at the CTE Center. By choosing a specific program of study, students are not bound by this decision in regard to college major selection or life-long career choice. Students are encouraged to choose classes that are of high interest and would provide a meaningful connection to education.
Various programs of study are offered at the CTE Center in Frisco. Agriculture science programs include animal science, horticulture and landscape design, and mechanics. The arts, AV technology and communication program includes graphic design and illustration, animation, and media technology. As well, there are programs for architecture and construction, business management and administration, education and training, financial systems, health science. The program for hospitality and tourism includes culinary arts and hospitality services, while the human services program includes child guidance and management along with other human service areas. Involved in the information technology program are computer maintenance/internet working, video game design, and webmastering. Other career and technical programs include law, public safety, corrections and security, marketing, sales and service, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (http://www.friscoisd.org/schools/CTE/index.htm).
