State seeks input on 5-year career education plan

State education officials will host a series of regional meetings in December to gather input on a five-year plan for strengthening career and technical education statewide.

The Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Community College Board are seeking feedback from students, families, and business, industry, community and educational leaders to improve CTE program development and evaluation. Informational meetings are set for:

• Tuesday, Dec 4: 2:30-4:30 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. at Moraine Valley Community College, 9000 College Parkway, Palos Hills/

• Dec. 12: 5-7 p.m. at Elgin High School, 1200 Maroon Drive, Elgin.

The goal of the state's five-year plan is ensuring students graduate with the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to thrive in their chosen path. It coincides with other statewide initiatives including: Illinois' competency-based learning pilot; implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; Postsecondary and Career Expectations framework; college and career pathway diploma endorsements; and a new multiple-measure definition of college and career readiness.

To learn more about the state's CTE plan, visit isbe.net/CTE. To provide feedback, email Perkins@isbe.net.