A little over a year ago, one of my ESU 10 Board Reports included a highlight of statewide Career & Technical Education (CTE) data. In that report I mentioned Nebraska, at that time, was the only state in the country that did not provide specific funding for Career and Technical Education programs when allocating state education funding. Fortunately, this is no longer true! With the passage of LB 610 during the last legislative session, $5,116,000 is set to be distributed to secondary and postsecondary Teaching & Learning CTE programs. $200,000 of these funds will be earmarked for Career & Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs). At the secondary level, a minimum of $7,500 will be available to each Local Education Agency (LEA), which goes beyond the Federal Carl Perkins funds twenty-nine of our ESU 10 schools can access through the ESU 10 Perkins Career & Technical Consortium.
This essential support comes as Nebraska faces very real and immediate challenges related to economic and labor needs, student achievement and self-sufficiency after high school, as well as global competitiveness. CTE programs in Nebraska help students develop career skills and technical knowledge, while providing them with real-world experiences that will help them be successful in High Wage, High Skill, High Demand (H3) occupations. It will be exciting to see how school districts utilize this new state funding to promote and enhance CTE offerings for their students. As mentioned earlier, funding priority was given to Career & Technical Student Organizations. Presently, there are seven CTSOs supported through the Nebraska Center for Student Leadership and Expanded Learning at the Nebraska Department of Education. As stated on their web page:
DECA - Distributive Education Clubs of America prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in the areas of marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in high schools and colleges across the globe. DECA prepares the next generation to be academically prepared, community oriented, professional responsible, and experienced leaders.
Educators Rising - Educators Rising is an organization that helps make sure teachers have the experience and skills they need to be ready for the classroom. We provide passionate young people with hands-on teaching experience, sustain their interest in the profession, and help them cultivate the skills they need to be successful educators. The result is a pipeline of accomplished teachers who are positioned to make a lasting difference.
FBLA - Future Business Leaders of America provides innovative leadership and career development programs for students interested in business administration, management, finance, and information technology careers.
FCCLA - Family, Career and Community Leaders of America is a national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders; address personal, family, work and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences Education.
FFA - Future Farmers of America makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.
HOSA - Health Occupations Students of America is a national student organization that prepares health science students for careers as health professionals by developing leadership, compassion, character, and well-being.
SkillsUSA - SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA helps each student excel.