Voices of Career and Technical Education
•The growing importance of career and technical education as a viable path to the American Dream was highlighted this month in a thought-provoking piece in US News & World Report, Vocational High Schools: Career Path or Kiss of Death.
Happily, as the article underscores, more educators are dispelling the myth that gaining technical skills and earning industry-recognized certificates while in high school unfairly limits students’ futures.
As you know, Opportunity Nation’s coalition agrees. We strongly believe that young Americans deserve multiple pathways to success.
“It’s not about discouraging students from going to college, but making sure they have options should they choose another path.”
Ray Caruthers, Principal, David H. Ponitz Career and Technology Center
“We’ve done a disservice in this country by suggesting that there’s only one path to success, which is to get a bachelor’s degree.”
Mark Edwards, Opportunity Nation
“You’re not just leaving with a diploma, but a diploma and a license and certification.”
Shemari Hale, High School Senior
Share your voice to support multiple pathways. Tweet this to your followers. Let’s work together to remove the stigma associated with career and technical education and empower all youth for post-secondary success, no matter what path they choose.
Opportunity Nation
Opportunity Nation is a bipartisan, national campaign comprised of more than 350 cross-sector organizations working together to expand economic mobility and close the opportunity gap in America. Opportunity Nation envisions the United States as a nation where everyone – regardless of where they were born – has equal access to opportunity, economic mobility, and success at all stages of life.
