Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza today announced 47 new Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs have opened over the 2016-17, 2017-18, and current school year, exceeding the originally announced target of 40 programs. These new programs are part of the City’s larger multi-year $113 million investment in CTE, and there are now 301 CTE programs across 135 schools, reaching approximately 64,000 high school students.
CTE is a rigorous sequence of academic and technical courses aligned with different career fields that will prepare high school students for seamless transition into two-year or four-year college programs and/or careers. Programs include academic and industry-specific coursework as well as work-based learning experiences like internships.
“We set out to create more programs to train our students and prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow, and I am proud to report that we’ve exceeded our goal to bring more real-world experiences directly into our classrooms,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Our career and technical programs are now able to reach even more students across the five boroughs, supporting equity and excellence for all, and providing them with the skills to graduate college and become career-ready.”
“CTE programs are rigorous, get our students excited to learn, and prepare them to succeed in both college and careers,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. “College and career readiness is integral to our vision of Equity and Excellence for All, and I’m proud that we’re expanding our CTE offerings and giving tens of thousands of students a clear pathway and a head start on degrees and career credentials in classrooms across New York City.”
“By expanding CTE, we’re providing direct pathways to colleges and careers and breaking down barriers. Pairing rigorous instruction in the classroom with job training and college credit sets our students up for success in the future and is a critical component of ensuring equity for all our students,” said Chief Academic Officer Linda Chen.
The 47 new CTE programs are in schools across the five boroughs, with 9 in the Bronx, 17 in Brooklyn, 8 in Manhattan, 11 in Queens, and 2 on Staten Island. The programs are aligned with growing labor market sectors in New York City’s economy, and center around 16 different career clusters which include: hospitality and tourism; architecture and construction; arts, AV technology and communication; information technology; law and public safety; scientific research and engineering; health science; transportation, distribution and logistics; and manufacturing production. These connect to approximately 80 specific career pathways or jobs. Specific programs include construction technology, culinary arts, certified nurse assistant, pre-engineering, computer networking, software engineering, and web design and digital media communications.
Students who complete CTE programs may choose to continue at a college or university; go directly into the workforce; select technical training programs, apprenticeships or schools that specialize in their chosen field of interest; or some combination of the above.
The $113 million investment in CTE also includes funding for 3,000 new internships annually, new industry partnerships, materials, teacher training and support as well as system-wide training to improve academic coursework at CTE schools.
Chancellor Carranza made the announcement at The Williamsburg High School of Arts and Technology, which has a new Web & Digital Media Communication CTE program this school year, which includes offering Advanced Placement Computer Science for the first time and is aligned to the City’s Computer Science for All initiative. Through Computer Science for All, by 2025, every student will receive computer science education in elementary, middle and high school.
“I am happy to hear that Chancellor Carranza is supporting the growth of CTE programs in New York City. CTE programs allow students to explore multiple avenues to success, because they’re both rigorous enough to prepare students for college and specialized enough to prepare students for the workforce,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. “A great example is the new Certified Nurse Assistant program at the High School for Health Careers and Sciences in District 6. Those students will have the option to go directly into the nursing profession with a CNA credential and start earning wages that can support them and their families. This allows those students to make the decision to go to college if and when it is right for them.”
“At Borough Hall we have been advocating to bring additional school choices to Staten Island, so I am happy to see these two CTE high school programs being installed in our Borough,” said Staten Island Borough President James Oddo. “Thank you to Chancellor Carranza and the Department of Education for investing in our students and expanding this beneficial college readiness program across the City of New York.”
“Career and technical education has a long and successful career in New York City. Expanding into new areas and providing support for existing programs is critically important. In my tenure as chair of the NYS Assembly Education Committee, I have held hearings on CTE education, sponsored legislative and budget initiatives directed at CTE and done everything I can to support these efforts. Congratulations to all the schools and to Chancellor Carranza and Mayor de Blasio on the success of this initiative,” said Assembly Member Catherine Nolan, Chair of the Assembly’s Education Committee.
“Expanding CTE programs expand opportunities for our students—and the addition of 47 CTE programs, with 17 of those programs in Brooklyn, is an incredible step in the right direction. CTE programs give students a chance to hone career skills while inside the classroom, and CTE helps ensure students are prepared for their future, in and out of the classroom,” said Council Member Mark Treyger, Chairman of the Education Committee.
“It remains critical that we support Career Technical Education (CTE) programs as a means for increasing quality technical education across our city and helping ensure equity in our educational system for all students. I commend Chancellor Carranza for expanding the CTE programs within our city, which will benefit more than 64,000 high school students today, as well as their academic and professional achievement in the future.”
“Science and technology play a critical role in better preparing students for an ever-evolving job market,” said Harlem Congressman Adriano Espaillat. “It remains critical that we support Career Technical Education (CTE) programs as a means for increasing quality technical education across our city and helping ensure equity in our educational system for all students. I commend Chancellor Carranza for expanding the CTE programs within our city, which will benefit more than 64,000 high school students today, as well as their academic and professional achievement in the future.”
“I am excited that Chancellor Richard Carranza and the DOE have decided to expand CTE programs in the district. In an ever-changing economy, it is important that our students have a diverse set of skills to be able to compete,” said Senator Jamaal Bailey. “It is crucial to provide our children with an education that fits them and their skill set, as opposed to an outdated ‘one size fits all’ curriculum.”
“The expansion of the CTE program will provide our students with meaningful educational experiences giving them alternative paths to success by preparing them for college or the workforce,” said Council Member Adrienne Adams. “I applaud Chancellor Carranza for this program expansion which will certainly strengthen the college readiness of our students and build access to careers that will widen their opportunities.”
“Career and Technical Education Programs provide an opportunity for our students to have successful futures,” said Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato. “Investing in our students throughout the State has always been a top priority, however, I am thrilled that two schools within my district here in Rockaway will be receiving these resources. Thank you to Chancellor Carranza and your team for recognizing the need for quality education in South Queens!”
When we invest in education and the development of young minds, we are investing in the future leaders of our communities,” said Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte. “As a former mathematician and electrical engineer, I know it is imperative that our students are able to compete in workplaces that are rapidly advancing technologically. I am proud to support these programs because I am sure it will give the youths in our communities more options for college and beyond.”
“I am delighted to see students at the Young Women’s Leadership School in Astoria will benefit from a Career and Technical Education program focused on software engineering and web design,” said Council Member Costa Constantinides. “These are industries in which women are severely underrepresented right now. I hope this program will empower them to seek careers in these fields, and tech companies moving to the City hire our locally trained talent.”
“The new software engineering program at Hillcrest High School will help prepare students for college and the jobs of tomorrow. I applaud the city for bringing this innovative program to students in my District,” said Council Member Rory I. Lancman.
“Career and Technical Education programs offer a fantastic opportunity, not just for the high students looking to immediately enroll in two- and four-year colleges but also those interested in joining the workforce, trades or apprenticeships after graduation. I applaud the Department of Education for expanding these programs into Corona and across the city. Whichever path these students choose, they will all have a stronger footing as they set out on their journey,” said Council Member Francisco Moya.
“CTE programs are an effective, proven way for us to support students on their path to college and in their future careers,” said Assembly Member David I. Weprin. “I’ve seen firsthand how effective CTE education programs in a number of schools in my Assembly district and applaud Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza for continuing these important investments in CTE for our city schools”
The CTE expansion is aligned to the Mayor and Chancellor’s Equity and Excellence for All agenda, which is building a pathway to success in college and careers for all students. Our students are starting school earlier, with free, full-day, high-quality education for three-year-olds and four-year-olds through 3-K for All and Pre-K for All; and our schools are strengthening foundational skills and instruction earlier, with Universal Literacy and Algebra for All. Our schools are also offering students more challenging, hands-on, college and career-aligned coursework, as Computer Science for All brings 21st-century computer science instruction to every school, and AP for All works to give all high school students access to at least five Advanced Placement courses. Along the way, our schools are providing students and families with additional support through College Access for All, Single Shepherd, and investment in Community Schools. Efforts to create more diverse and inclusive classrooms are central to this pathway.
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