More tech and career classes may be in the works for N.C. high schools

RALEIGH - State officials say that students who take the career and technical education (CTE) path in high schools have higher graduation rates than the overall student population and want to boost such educational programs in North Carolina's high schools.

"Sometimes in Raleigh I think we get the mentality that every kid is going to go to college," said Sen. Harry Brown, R-Onslow, who has a bill in the works that would promote more technical educational programs in North Carolina high schools with the lowest graduation rates.

Brown said that about 90 percent of students in CTE programs end up graduating from high school in North Carolina, compared to 70 percent of the general school population.

"They can get jobs," Brown said. "People want to hire them."

Brown's bill would require high schools that have a graduation rate lower than 60 percent for two years in a row provide more career and technical education courses. Work experience courses would count toward meeting course requirements.

That would cover about 10 high schools in the state, according to Department of Public Instruction reports, including Cape Lookout Marine Science High School in Carteret County.

School officials, including superintendents and teachers, traveled to Raleigh on Thursday for a press conference aimed at boosting technical education programs.

"Without CTE, our kids would truly suffer," said Michael Bracy, superintendent of the Jones County Schools. "Future-ready doesn't just mean college-ready."

"All students deserve these opportunities," said Kathy Spencer, superintendent of the Onslow County Schools.

Ken Brown, a drafting teacher at Richlands High School in Onslow County, said that many technical education courses offer tangible opportunities for students. "CTE offers internships and apprenticeships," Ken Brown said. Students could use those opportunities to find out if they liked a particular career, he added.

Sen. Brown said that he was not asking for an appropriation for technical education this year, given the state's budget predicament.

State Superintendent June Atkinson said that that CTE students graduate from high school at a higher rate than the general school population because they classes engage the students' minds by adding relevancy to their class work.

She said that without a high school diploma, students will struggle in the world.

Atkinson said she plans to appoint a commission this spring that will help promote the role of career and technical education in the state's schools.

Barry Smith can be reached at bsmith@link.freedom.com.