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Spring Quarterly Newsletter | | |
Hello Career Academy Members, | |
As the fresh energy of spring begins to bloom and new growth emerges all around us, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what we’ve accomplished so far this year and look ahead to what’s next. Whether you’re preparing for upcoming conferences, engaging with students, or embracing the renewed momentum this season brings, we hope this newsletter helps keep you inspired and informed.
As we move into the months ahead, this newsletter shares important updates, upcoming events, and initiatives happening across ACTE’s Career Academy Section.
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Get Ready for ACTE's CareerTech VISION:
Enhance your 2026 ACTE VISION experience by joining Ford NGL’s special one-day convening for education and workforce leaders on Dec. 2 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Designed for decision-makers advancing career-connected learning, this dynamic session will explore how to scale Portraits of a Graduate, strengthen cross-sector partnerships, and ensure 100% of students complete a career and technical education (CTE) program of study. Participants will connect with peers from across the country and gain actionable strategies grounded in Ford NGL’s Community Connected Framework for Transformation. Add this experience through the ACTE bundle registration — early bird pricing is $295 through July 31.
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Sincerely,
Cheryl Carrier
Executive Director, Ford Next Generation Learning (Ford NGL)
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Dayton’s Innovative Academies in Action
Communities across the country continue to demonstrate what’s possible when schools are designed to serve all learners. In Dayton, Ohio, the Innovative Academies of Dayton Public Schools are embracing a bold vision grounded in the belief that “all means all.” Watch this inspiring video to learn more about their commitment and what it looks like in practice.
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Connecting Classrooms to Careers in Knoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee’s partnership with Greenheck is a powerful example of what can happen when education and industry align around a shared vision for student success. Through a community-connected academy approach, schools and employers are creating meaningful opportunities that connect classroom learning to real-world careers. Read more about what this looks like in action.
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How Strategic Communications Are Elevating Romeo Community Schools
Go behind the scenes of Romeo Community Schools’ transformation as their communications and marketing supervisor shares how strategic storytelling is strengthening connections, building community pride, and amplifying student success. Learn how these efforts support students, engage families, and provide clear, consistent insight into the impact of career-connected learning.
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Kevin’s Journey From Passion to Purpose
Kevin never let go of what lit him up as a kid, and now he's built a life around it. This is what happens when a student is seen, supported, and bold enough to follow passion all the way through.
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Building the Automotive Talent Pipeline of the Future
At the 2026 Detroit Auto Show, education and industry leaders came together to tackle one critical question: how do we build the technical talent pipeline for the future of the auto industry? This conversation highlights workforce innovation, skilled trades, and how schools can prepare students for high-demand careers in EV technology, advanced manufacturing, and mobility.
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Guiding Student Success Through a Portrait of a Graduate
A new webinar, Your Portrait of a Graduate: The North Star for Community-Connected Transformation, is now available from Ford Next Generation Learning (Ford NGL). This session explores how defining a clear vision for graduate outcomes can guide system-wide transformation and align teaching and learning with real-world readiness.
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When Communities Commit: How Akron and Raytown Are Transforming Student Outcomes
Akron Public Schools is showing what meaningful transformation looks like when a community rallies around its students. By embracing a community-connected approach and building strong partnerships across the city, Akron has reimagined its high schools as engines of readiness — resulting in significant gains in college and career readiness and a renewed focus on real-world learning. Read more to explore the metrics that moved, the academy structures that make it possible, and the community partnerships that turned Akron’s model into measurable success.
And we’re seeing that same story take shape in Raytown, Missouri.
Early data from implementing a Freshman Academy — grounded in the Ford NGL approach to the career academy model — shows what’s possible when schools are intentionally designed around real-world learning, strong relationships, and community connected systems.
Not small shifts, but meaningful movement where it matters most:
✔️ Attendance is up
✔️ Office referrals are down
✔️ Course failures are decreasing
This is what happens when the approach is aligned and the work is intentional.
When a community commits, the data follows.
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Schools and Homebuilders: Strengthening the Workforce Together
Discover how schools and homebuilders are working together to strengthen workforce pathways. The NAHB Workforce Partnership Playbook offers actionable guidance for building sustainable partnerships that benefit students, employers, and communities alike.
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Supporting Student Success with Skills Progressions from the Carnegie Foundation
Skills Progressions for Collaboration, Communication, and Critical Thinking is a new resource from the Carnegie Foundation designed to align with academic standards while supporting assessment, instructional planning, and professional learning. These progressions are part of a broader effort to define clear, research-based skills expectations for high school learners.
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Be Part of a Once-in-a-Century Celebration
Early Bird Registration for VISION Is Now Open
Join us Dec. 2–5 in New Orleans, Louisiana, for ACTE’s CareerTech VISION 2026 and Centennial Celebration, an unforgettable experience honoring more than 100 years of excellence in CTE. We’re planning milestone celebrations, a dynamic Expo and an inspiring lineup of presenters and sessions designed to energize and amplify your work. This historic event brings ACTE’s centennial to life, honoring a century of leadership, innovation and impact while looking boldly to the future of CTE. Most of all, it’s a chance to celebrate you.
Early bird registration is available through July 31 — secure your spot and be part of this historic event!
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Powering Possibility: Advancing Postsecondary CTE Impact
Join forward-thinking practitioners and researchers Sept. 16–18 in Arlington, Virginia, for ACTE’s Postsecondary CTE Summit 2026. This dynamic event explores the evolving impact of postsecondary CTE through cutting-edge professional development, emerging sector insights and forward-looking presentations. Collaborate with peers, exchange ideas and build solutions that strengthen programs and expand opportunities for learners.
Learn more and register by July 28 to secure early bird rates!
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From Best Practices to Measurable Impact
The Premier Conference for CTE Administrators
Join CTE leaders from across the country Oct. 6–8 at the Grand Hyatt Denver in Denver, Colorado, for the Best Practices for CTE Administrators Conference. Designed for current and aspiring leaders, this premier event equips administrators with the tools, strategies and connections needed to drive program quality and student success. Engage in professional learning grounded in proven practices across K–12, postsecondary and workforce systems, all reflecting ACTE’s century-long commitment to advancing CTE nationwide.
Learn more and reserve your spot by May 31 to secure early bird rates!
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See What’s Possible When Districts Collaborate
ACTE’s School Study Visit to the Northern Kane County Regional Vocational System highlights a regional CTE model where districts pool resources to deliver advanced programs and facilities they couldn’t sustain alone. Through a partnership with a community college, students also earn industry credentials and college credit while still in high school. Designed for CTE leaders seeking scalable, cost‑effective solutions, this tour offers practical, real‑world strategies for doing more with less.
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Build the Future: Lead ACTE Into Its Next Century
As a member of ACTE's board of directors, you have the opportunity to influence the Association’s direction and make a lasting impact on CTE programs, professionals and students nationwide. Nominations for the ACTE board of directors are open through June 15. Explore the available positions and learn how you can get involved.
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ACTE Impact Awards: Celebrating CTE Champions!
Know an outstanding educator, business partner, or industry leader transforming CTE? The ACTE Impact Awards are seeking nominations. Spotlight exceptional Business-Education Partnerships and Champions of CTE by June 30. Your nomination could honor the innovators driving workforce education forward!
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Student Trophy Design Contest: Encourage Your Students to Enter!
Invite your students to design the 3D-printed trophies for ACTE’s prestigious Excellence Awards. This hands-on contest highlights creativity, innovation and real-world CTE skills. First-place designers will receive $1,000 scholarship prize for the winning team, a free one-year lease of a 3D printer for the winner’s school, courtesy of Stratasys and more. Submissions are due May 1.
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Association for Career and Technical Education
1410 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-683-3111
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