In a struggling economy where finding a job can be difficult, recent college graduates are faced with the realization that possessing a college diploma does not automatically guarantee employment. In addition, although a formal education used to be a “must” for every individual who sought a well-paying job, recent trends have indicated that this may not be the case anymore.

Too often classroom teachers hear the questions, “Why do I have to learn this?” or “When will I ever use this in the real world?” in reference to the material they are teaching. Their students are bored sitting through lessons about material that they see as irrelevant to their current lives. But what if those lessons were taught in ways that made them both current and relevant? What if our students were introduced to that material in the context of how it can be applied in the real world? That’s exactly what 21st Century CTE is doing for our students, and one program in Florida is a prime example.

Success isn’t a one-track deal

This article, by William C. Symonds and Cindy Zehnder, raises the controversial question of whether or not we should insist that high school students pursue postsecondary education. Too often we are programmed to believe that the only option after graduating from high school is to attend college and hopefully gain employment in one’s chosen field. Ask any high school senior these days what is the number one question you are most often asked by adults, and the response will likely be either “what college will you be attending?” or “have you selected a major yet?” But what if, instead of expanding our children’s options by insisting they attend college, we are actually limiting their potential for future success?