The following is a national perspective testimony submitted by Bruno Manno, on behalf of the Progressive Policy Institute, to the DC Council on Proposed Bill 25-741 Vocational Education for a New Generation Act of 2024.
Many Americans, including the last wave of Gen Zers now entering high school, want schools to offer more education and training options for young people, like career and technical education, or CTE. They broadly agree that the K–12 goal of “college for all” over the last several decades has not served all students well. It should be replaced with “opportunity pluralism,” or the recognition that a college degree is one of many pathways to post-secondary success.
School-based CTE programs (there are also programs for adults) typically prepare middle and high school students for a range of high-wage, high-skill, and high-demand careers. These include fields like advanced manufacturing, health sciences, and information technology, which often do not require a two- or four-year college degree. CTE programs award students recognized credentials like industry certifications and licenses. Some programs also provide continuing opportunities for individuals to sequence credentials so that they can pursue associate and bachelor’s degrees if they choose.
