Eighty-five years after the passage of the first federal vocational education legislation, vocational education is evolving from its original focus on preparing students for work immediately following high school. With national and state school reform efforts focused on academic achievement, and with the fastest-growing occupations now requiring some postsecondary education, vocational education, currently referred to as career and technical education (CTE), is seeking effective ways to contribute to these goals. 

• Can career and technical education support current demands for high student achievement?
• What components must be in place to ensure that programs produce youth who are competitive in the workplace and have good postsecondary options?
• What are the costs related to creating and supporting high quality CTE programs?

• Lynne M. Gilli, Program Manager, Division of Career Technology and Adult Learning, Maryland State Department of Education
• Michael Morton, Director, Vocational, Career, and Adult Education, Arlington Public Schools
• David Welsh, Instructor, Television & Multimedia Production, Arlington Career Center
• Robert L. Kight, Executive Director, Office of Career and Technical Education, District of Columbia Public Schools

• Speaker Bios*  
• Lynne Gilli's Presentation*
• David Welsh's Presentation*
• Annotated Bibliography*       
• Summary*