WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
College and career readiness means that a high school graduate has the knowledge and skills necessary to qualify for and succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing postsecondary coursework without the need for remediation — or put another way, a high school graduate has the knowledge and skills needed to qualify for and succeed in the postsecondary job training and/or education necessary for his or her chosen career. This could be at community college, university, technical/vocational program, apprenticeship, or significant on-the-job training. Career Technical Education (CTE) addresses the goals of college and career readiness through relevant and rigorous learning experiences. High-quality CTE programs and pathways ensure that coursework is simultaneously aligned to academic standards and postsecondary expectations and informed by and built to address the skills needed in specific career pathways.
In a partnership between Napa County Office of Education, Napa Valley Unified School District, Calistoga Joint Unified School District, and St. Helena Unified School District, the Napa County Office of Education College and Career Readiness Department (NCOE CCRD) provides high-quality CTE in multiple industry sectors to high school students across15 career pathways in Napa County. These pathways are taught by credentialed teachers with industry experience, and many meet a U.C. ‘a-g’ requirement. Students have the opportunity to take courses that prepare them for college and career through hands-on instruction by bringing theory and practice together. This makes learning relevant and engaging. Many students use the skills developed in CTE courses to obtain employment while furthering their education or pursuing their career goals. Today’s cutting-edge, rigorous, and relevant Career and Technical Education prepares students for a wide range of high-wage, high-skill, high-demand careers.
High school students involved in CTE are more engaged, perform better, and graduate at higher rates. 81 percent of dropouts say relevant, real-world learning opportunities would have kept them in high school. The average high school graduation rate for students concentrating in CTE programs is 93 percent, compared to a national adjusted cohort graduation rate of 80 percent. Students who are interested in taking CTE courses should see their high school counselor.