Preparing Career and Technical Education Teachers for Careers in Public Urban Education

Preparing Career and Technical Education Teachers for Careers in Public Urban Education. Jillian Rose Ells, 2024: Strategic Research Project, Nova Southeastern University, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. Keywords: career and technical education, Chapter 74, professional development, teacher retention, school administrators, at-risk The strategic research project was designed to provide school leaders with the necessary tools needed to ensure that career and technical education teachers are prepared to transition from industry into education. The problem is the lack of training for career and technical education teachers. The purpose of this project was to analyze the organization, review current scholarly literature, and consider strategies to improve teacher training in the career and technical education department. The preferred solution is to establish a professional development committee in order to provide the necessary state recommended professional development courses for vocational education teachers. The action plan provides a step-by-step process to ensure that career and technical education teachers will be provided the best professional learning opportunities by which to grow as educators. According to the proposed action plan, during the 2024-2025 school year, the target organization’s professional development committee will be established and meet with administration. The strategy of obtaining highly qualified mentors will assist the professional development committee in aligning the district vision of the career and technical education program. Recommendations include providing state vocational professional development courses and strengthening an industry to career and technical education educator pipeline. Securing grant funding will go toward ongoing mentoring stipends for career and technical education teachers for continued longevity of the program along with ensuring that the organization hires a licensed career and technical education director to lead. Allowing the department of education to conduct scheduled and unannounced visits to ensure that safety regulations are adhered to along with offering additional programs to high school students in line with Chapter 74.