Career and technical education (CTE) was a huge priority for Ohio lawmakers during the recent budget cycle. Over the next biennium, the state will invest hundreds of millions to support the expansion of CTE programming and cover the cost of upgrading facilities and equipment. This influx of cash should help modernize and expand Ohio’s CTE programs. But the state’s investment extends beyond just funding. The budget also included some important policy changes, namely a provision that allows school districts to partner with Ohio Technical Centers (OTCs) to provide students in grades 7–12 with CTE courses.
To understand the thought behind this provision, as well as its potential impact, some background about Ohio’s CTE sector is necessary. At the post-secondary level, a good portion of the state’s CTE programming is delivered by OTCs—independently operated, state-funded CTE providers that are distinct from community colleges and offer adults technical education services, training, and credentials for in-demand jobs. At the secondary level, CTE courses are offered to middle and high school students via Career-Technical Planning Districts (CTPDs), of which there are three types:
- In comprehensive CTPDs, students participate in CTE programming at their local high school or in a separate CTE-specific building. In both cases, the building is governed and operated by the district school board and its superintendent.
- In compact CTPDs, a group of districts work together to offer CTE programming. Students who attend these districts and enroll in CTE programs spend a portion of their school day attending classes at their local high school, and spend their remaining time at whichever high school within the compact offers their chosen CTE program. Buildings are operated by the district in which they are located, but the compact CTPD itself is managed by one lead district which is responsible for federal and state accountability measures.
- Joint Vocational School Districts (JVSD) exclusively offer CTE programming. They serve two or more adjacent school districts, but are governed by their own board of education and thus operate as their own independent district. Students who attend one of the districts served by a JVSD can attend the JVSD either full or part time.
Since 2014, state law has required every public school district to ensure that students in grades 7–12 have access to CTE programming in state-approved career fields. Districts meet this requirement through comprehensive and compact CTPDs or JVSDs. Charter and STEM schools that serve students in grades 7–12 are assigned to a CTPD by the state. As a result, every middle and high schooler who attends a public school in Ohio has access to CTE in some way, shape, or form. That’s the good news.
The bad news is that the breadth and depth of student access varies widely. Sometimes, districts don’t have the facilities and/or equipment to offer certain courses. This can limit the programs and career pathways that are available to students. Furthermore, recently published state data indicate that CTE is an area of concern in regard to teacher shortages. If districts and JVSDs are struggling to find qualified instructors, they may have to limit which courses and programs they offer. Add to that the complexity of course scheduling (if a CTE course is offered at the same time as another course that a student needs to graduate, they’re likely not going to choose the CTE course) and capacity restraints (if there are fifteen slots available for a specific a course and twenty students are interested in enrolling, then five students are going to be out of luck), and it becomes clear that plenty of students are missing out on valuable CTE opportunities despite state policy mandating CTE access.
This is where OTCs come into play. Because they share the same primary mission as CTPDs—offering high-quality CTE programming in in-demand fields—they are uniquely qualified to help CTPDs fill access gaps. In fact, most OTCs are co-located with and co-governed by CTPDs (specifically JVSDs). The budget leverages the shared mission and existing relationships by permitting traditional districts and JVSDs to contract with an OTC to serve students in grades 7–12 who are enrolled in a CTE program at the district but are unable to take a desired or needed course for any number of reasons.
Districts are required to apply to the Department of Education and Workforce for approval to contract with an OTC. In a nod to the intent behind the policy change, the law requires the department to “consider the extent to which the partnership will increase access to career-technical education courses for students” prior to approving any application. Once approved, districts will be required to award students high school credit for completing any CTE course at an OTC. Districts must also pay OTCs for each student who takes a course, and may use CTE program funding to do so.
As is typically the case, implementation will make or break this policy. If OTCs and districts work together and put students first, the average middle and high schooler could soon have access to a much larger number of CTE courses. Improved access could result not just in increased participation, but also better outcomes. More students could earn meaningful industry-recognized credentials and get their foot in the door at well-paying jobs and post-secondary institutions. That would be a win-win for students, schools, and employers. Here’s hoping that districts and OTCs are up for the challenge.
