Integrated curriculum in CTE coursework helps the students not only learn, but have the ability to apply what they have learned. This makes real-life sense to children about how a routine math problem can help them in their career. It is easier to teach through live examples and hands-on experience than with just a book. The more integrated the CTE students are in their education, the more likely they are to attend school and graduate.
Integrating core academics into CTE coursework makes sense! It gives relevance to the math/science/LA and also builds the rigor of the curriculum being taught in the programs.
At our school, our CTE services over half the overall population in some form. It is integral in introducing students to careers and skills that they wouldn't necessarily learn in the academic world. This has helped reduce the dropout rate, increase our percentage of students attending either a 4 year, 2 year or technical school and for our local community, it provides a stepping stone to jobs.
CTE integration bouys attendance rates with our students, particularily in our males 9th grade students. We also see decreases in drop out rates among our CTE students.
