Integrating Academics and Career Education

The Master Plan for k-16 Education in California must address both the career/technical and academic needs of the k-12 student population in order to prepare Californian's youth for the highly technical global economy workforce. This preparation can not be introduced at the community college level but should be initiated at the elementary grades through career awareness, expanded at the secondary grades through career exploration/training, and articulated at the postsecondary level through career specialization resulting in the attainment of  advanced certifications and degrees. Research has proven that combining the content of traditional college preparatoy studies with career/technical (vocational) studies has strong positive effects on student achievement for career-bound high school students.  The "High Schools That Work" is an example of a school-wide reform initiative begun in 1987 and implemented in almost 1000 schools throughout half of the states in the united States which supports this reaearch. Studies indicate that "High Schools That Work" improve student performance on the NAEP, and students complete more academic courses especially in math and science then before the reform implementation.There are eight key actions that help high schools integrate challenging academics into career/technical (vocational) studies:
1. Schools require students to choose a major or develop academies within the school which joins and emphasis on academics with a career focus.
2. Teachers use instructional strategies that focus on students, such as student projects and writing.
3. Schools provide extra support to career-bound students who are taking challenging academic courses.
4. Schools involve instructional staff in making decisions.
5. Schools connect with businesses in the community to help students learn about careers or develop skills, or provide financial support to schools.
6. Schools use information such as test scores and surveys to identify students' strengths and weaknesses, in order toimprove instruction.
7. District staff provide schools with needed support, such as teacher release time for professional development, and help bring together school staff, parents, and business and community leaders.
Schools build connections with middle and postsecondary schools, to help students make the transition from one stage of learning to the next.
These actions are not new ideas but they are research based and proven to  strongly cause a positive effect on student achievement. California has embraced School to Career and Tech Prep initiatives over the last ten years as a parallel educational component to academics. What is needed is an integrated educational plan which incorporates career application and experience into  the academic curriculum and integrates academic standards into career technical curriculum. It is not an either or choice. The Master Plan needs to reflect the importance of integrating academics and career preparation specifically in the secondary schools. State-wide academic standards and career technical standards need to be devloped 
that reflect each other not exist as parallel structures. Student preparation must emphasize the relevance of the rigorus academics for the educational experience to be meaningful and impactful for California's youth.