I've been in the education field--from elementary all the way up to college training programs. I spent many years quite "academic-based," only to discover years later that CTE-related education & training DOES have huuuuge positive effects on student learning & achievement, regardless of age or skill level.

Communication really is key when it comes to teachers and coaches working together successfully. The relationship building and connecting between teachers and their students is an important aspect for student sucess and without that a lot of the other strategies will not be effective. 

Creating a separate professionalism/soft skills grade and system is a more successful strategy for a CTE course. 

Soft skills are incredibly important, no matter what role your students pursue. 

Involving more non-profits woule be a great place to enhance our community connections. 

We currently don't have a CTE advisory board. I would love to start one but we haven't had anyone willing to help us start one but if anyone has any ideas I would love to take some notes. 

We have Work-Based Learning, Job-shadowing, Apprenticeship, and Internship with our community partners. We also have CTE Open Houses and will start a Career Day.  

At my high school we have started having CTE Open House's and it's been great! We have our students there to be involved and do tours community partners and families come to see what we have and how we are improving and staying up to date with the workforce. Students get curious and ask what we need to do get into those classes. 

I love the idea of Gen Ed teachers and CTE teacher's co-planning/teaching so that students can get that knowledge and better understanding with the hands-on experience. 

Comment on Margaret Coate's post: I love the idea of co-teaching opportunities!!