Special Supplement to The Glendale Star and Peoria Times
CAREER & EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FALL 2021 [Your complete guide to local career and education]
INSIDE This Issue
Superintendent debunks CTE myths BY GREG DONOVAN
Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC) Superintendent
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areer and technical education (CTE) courses allow students to explore career options and gain certifications while attending high school. Although myths about CTE courses have been circulating, there are many benefits to practicing a career in the trade fields, especially with so many job opportunities available.
Myth No. 1: CTE careers have lower wages than jobs requiring a traditional four-year degree
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While a four-year college degree is necessary for some occupations, numerous careers in the technical fields and in the health care industry do not require it. Within these fields, certifications and associate degrees can open doors to high-paying jobs with opportunities for growth. According to the U.S Department of Labor, CTE certifications generally lead to jobs with average salaries ranging from $40,000 to $77,000. It also found that eight years after graduating, CTE students earned higher median salaries than students who did not have a CTE focus. CTE occupations are also in high demand, especially coming out of a pandemic, resulting in an abundance of job opportunities for students as soon as they graduate high school.
Career and technical education courses provide high school students the opportunity to explore career options and gain certifications prior to graduation. (Photo by courtesy of West-MEC)
Myth No. 2: CTE is for low-performing students There is a stereotype that a career focus in technical education is for poor-performing high school students who are unable to pursue college because of a lower grade average. This could not be further from the truth. In fact, the U.S Department of Education found that CTE-concentrated students’ graduation rate is higher than that
of their peers. Also, the 2021 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) showed the highest high school science scores in the nation were earned by CTE students. CTE students also have the ability to multitask to keep up with fast-paced learning. Several courses taught at the local
CTE...continued on page 6
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