Advance CTE

Advance CTE
Name	Advance CTE
Formation	1920s (as national vocational organizations)
Type	Nonprofit organization
Headquarters	Silver Spring, Maryland
Region served	United States
Leader title	Executive Director
Website	(omitted)

Advance CTE Advance CTE is a nonprofit organization that serves state leaders and practitioners involved with Career Technical Education (CTE). It operates at the intersection of policy, practice, and research, engaging with state departments, legislatures, governors, and federal agencies to shape CTE systems across the United States. The organization works with a broad network of partners, including K–12 systems, postsecondary institutions, employers, and workforce development entities.

History

Advance CTE traces its lineage to early 20th-century vocational education associations and national efforts such as the Smith–Hughes Act era networks and later consolidations among state vocational directors. Over the decades it evolved through associations that intersected with initiatives like the War on Poverty, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, and the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act reauthorizations. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, it engaged with federal entities including the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Labor during policy debates connected to the No Child Left Behind Act and the Every Student Succeeds Act. Its history includes collaborations with professional groups such as the National Governors Association, the Education Commission of the States, and the Council of Chief State School Officers.

Mission and Goals

Advance CTE's mission focuses on strengthening CTE systems to expand access to high-quality career pathways. Its goals align with priorities championed by leaders like Arne Duncan, Betsy DeVos, and Miguel Cardona in their roles at the U.S. Department of Education, while intersecting with workforce strategies promoted by figures tied to the U.S. Department of Labor and governors from both the Democratic Party (United States) and the Republican Party (United States). The organization emphasizes equity and employer engagement as reflected in policy discussions involving the National Skills Coalition, the Business Roundtable, and state workforce agencies such as those led from the offices of governors like Mike Pence and Jerry Brown.

Programs and Initiatives

Advance CTE administers programs that support career pathways, credentialing, and educator development, connecting with models used in states like California, Texas, New York (state), and Florida. It advances strategies similar to those promoted by the Association for Career and Technical Education and collaborates with entities such as the American Association of Community Colleges and the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices. Initiatives often align with apprenticeships featured by the U.S. Department of Labor and credential frameworks recognized by organizations such as ACT, Inc. and the National Student Clearinghouse. Collaborative projects have involved foundations and philanthropies associated with figures like Bill Gates and institutions like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Policy and Advocacy

Advance CTE engages in policy analyses and advocacy during legislative cycles at state capitols and in Washington, D.C., interacting with actors such as members of the United States Congress, committees like the House Committee on Education and Labor, and agencies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Its advocacy work parallels efforts by think tanks such as the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute and aligns with coalition partners including the National Skills Coalition and the Chamber of Commerce of the United States. The organization provided input during major policy developments involving the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 reauthorization discussions and federal budget negotiations influenced by administrations from Barack Obama to Donald Trump.

Research and Publications

Advance CTE produces research reports, implementation guides, and data tools that reference national datasets and studies from entities like the National Center for Education Statistics, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Pew Research Center. Publications address topics also studied by scholars and institutions such as Harvard University, Stanford University, University of Michigan, and the Brookings Institution. The organization disseminates resources used by state agencies, community colleges, and employer partners including those in sectors represented by trade associations like the National Association of Manufacturers and corporations such as General Electric and IBM.

Organizational Structure

Advance CTE is governed by a board of state-level leaders and staffed by professionals with expertise in policy, research, and technical assistance. Its governance model reflects structures seen in organizations like the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the Council for Exceptional Children. Leadership interacts with state chiefs, commissioners, and directors similar to those from the New Jersey Department of Education, the California Department of Education, and the Texas Education Agency, while coordinating with national associations such as the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education.

Partnerships and Funding

Advance CTE sustains partnerships with federal agencies, state education and workforce agencies, philanthropy, and private sector employers. Funding sources mirror those of comparable nonprofits, including grants from foundations tied to names like Carnegie Corporation of New York and partnerships with corporations such as Amazon (company), Microsoft, and Apple Inc.. Collaborations extend to research organizations like the RAND Corporation and service providers active in workforce development such as LinkedIn and Skillsoft.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Maryland