The Maryland State Department of Education’s Divisions of Career and College Readiness and Library Development and Services along with Caroline County Public Schools and Caroline County Public Library today unveiled a new public awareness campaign focusing on Career and Technology Education (CTE).

The campaign kicked-off at the Central Branch of the Caroline County Public Library in Denton, Maryland and will be followed by a series of three presentations which will highlight the CTE programs offered in Caroline County Public Schools.  The presentations will take place from December 2013 to February 2014 at the various Caroline County Public Library branches.

A highlight of the event included presentations by Caroline County Career and Technology Education students. Presentations were made by Jamie Hetrick, a 10th grade student enrolled in the Curriculum for Agriculture Science Education (CASE) program; Kanieka Neal, a 12th grade student enrolled in the Project Lead The Way Biomedical Sciences Program; Tejay Greenwood, a 12th grade Allied Health student; and Valerie Warden a 12th grade PLTW Pre-Engineering student.

“Career and Technology Education and libraries are wonderful resources for students and exemplify the model of collaboration at both the State and local levels,” said Jack Smith, Chief Academic Officer with MSDE. “This public awareness campaign will allow parents, students, and the community to learn more about Caroline County’s system of Career and Technology Education through their local public library.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Caroline County Public Library to highlight the importance of Career and Technology Education and to share with the community the wonderful opportunities these programs offer students,” said Khalid Mumin, Caroline County Public Schools Superintendent.

Caroline County Public Schools offers more than 20 career and technology education programs of study at its three high schools – Colonel Richardson, North Caroline and the Career and Technology Center. Programs are offered in the following career areas: Business, Management and Finance; Construction and Development; Consumer Services, Hospitality, and Tourism; Environmental, Agriculture and Natural Resources; Health and Biosciences; Human Resource Services; Manufacturing, Engineering, and Technology; and Transportation Technologies.

Across the State, CTE programs provide opportunities for students to actively learn about careers and prepare for successful futures.  In FY 2012, over half (55 percent) of all secondary CTE graduates met the requirements for entry into both college and careers.                                                                                                   
Beginning in December 2013 and going through February 2014 there will be additional CTE public awareness activities in these branches of the Caroline County Public Library:

Thursday, December 5: Central Library - Denton, 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, January 15: North County Branch-Greensboro, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, February 25: Federalsburg Branch, 6:00 p.m.

For more information on Career Technology Education programs visit www.MarylandPublicSchools.org  or
http://www.cl.k12.md.us/subsite/dist/page/technology-education-248