Advancing Career & Technical Education in Rural America

Advancing Career & Technical Education in Rural America -
Macon County Public Schools.

The academic year 2015/2016 is approaching fast. I along with my Superintendent recently attending the SSA- School Superintendents Association of Alabama's Summer Conference 2015 in Point Clear, Alabama. There were many informative topics discussed. One that caught my attention was the implication towards the advancements in Career & Technical Education. The accountability that is being placed on CTE programs in Alabama is growing. We are being tasked with the responsibility of providing a greater return on investment in terms of providing the workforce with both College and Career Ready Student Graduates.

I am very pleased with our outcomes in Macon County; however I have raised the bar with my staff. We will increase the number of student credentialed by 10% in all eight of our program clusters. This will be done by offering more professional development for staff. It will also be done by making program transitions to increase the number of graduates in high demand areas to include: Health Sciences and Technology. Lastly, we will improve the transitional services for special service students. These goals are in front of us and not behind us. I plan to address each one with the entire CTE staff prior to the opening of school in August 2015. Continue to look for news and information regarding program improvement practices for the Career & Technical Education Programs in Macon County.

Posted by:
Dr. Melvin Alonza Lowe, III, EdD
Educational Director -
Career & Technical Education /
Workforce Development
lowema@maconk12.org
lowemelvin724@gmail.com