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Letter from VACTE’s President
August 24, 2011
Welcome to the Virginia Association of Career & Technical Education (VACTE) website. It's an honor and privilege to serve and represent so many exceptional educators, administrators, business partners, and parents. The year ahead brings many challenges and obstacles that we will face together. VACTE is one of the premier organizations that enable us to do just that.
VACTE exists to serve as the umbrella organization for all Career and Technical Education (CTE) program areas and divisions throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. We are the source for all who are concerned with, and about, Career and Technical Education. In addition, VACTE provides a common forum for planning, information dissemination, and local and national CTE policy monitoring. Because of our members, we have been successful at proposing beneficial legislation, gathering educator and elected official support, and getting legislation passed that benefits Career and Technical Education.
Enrollment in Career and Technical Education courses continue to increase with more than 598,000 Virginia students taking one or more CTE courses. In the 2009–2010 school year, 45% of CTE completers earned an Advanced Studies Diploma, preparing them to be both college-ready and career-ready—an achievement I attribute directly to our CTE educators. You are the heart and soul of our nation’s workforce education. With the exception of our military, no group contributes more than you. Educators are the professionals that make all other professions possible.
I challenge you to take ownership of your CTE program area by joining your professional organization along with VACTE. If you are already a member, encourage another CTE teacher or administrator in your school to join. Lastly, attend January’s 13th Annual Professional Leadership Seminar in Richmond. This seminar supports statewide Career and Technical Education initiatives and public policies and allows you the opportunity to network with other CTE teachers, administrators, and policymakers, and to learn the latest on Perkins and Virginia CTE funding.
Feel free to contact me with your comments and/or concerns. Collectively, we can accomplish great things. I wish all of you a successful school year.
Sincerely,
Rose M. Blevins
VACTE President
rmblevins@hampton.k12.va.us
Office (757) 848-2158