Torrance, CA – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's Career Technical Education (CTE) Summit drew notable government, industry, and school officials on Tuesday including California Space Authority (CSA) and sister organization California Space Education and Workforce Institute (CSEWI) to review and seek solutions toward stemming the enormous shortfall of students pursuing technical careers. Ace Clearwater Enterprises, a CSA member and family-run business belonging to CEO Kellie Johnson, that specializes in making sheet metal products for aerospace and automotive industries hosted the event.
“We must remain competitive in the global economy' acknowledged CSA Executive Director Andrea Seastrand, “and the Governor is asking us to help find solutions. CSA's involvement with issues related to strengthening and renewing career tech will prove valuable for our students. He wants them to have the “options' to succeed in whatever career field they choose.”
“The greatest hope” noted CSEWI Executive Director Deborah Hirsh, “is that this effort could represent a framework for high school reform in the State of California with a new focus on experiential, hands-on project based learning for all students. This focus shows great promise in 'hooking' young people to stick with their schooling so that they may enter the workforce ready to benefit from high skill and high wage jobs.”
The Governor, who has said in the past, “I love career tech, love it” appealed to the attendees. “It is my hope that this summit will be the next step forward,” said the Governor, “and will create a blueprint for Career Technical Education in public schools, in order to meet the needs of California's economy.”
The Governor's White Paper titled “Math and Science Teacher Shortage in California” underscores the problem. The report says, “In California, from the perspective of public education, the situation is dire: there are simply not enough math/science graduates—even if every one of them took a job in a public school—to meet the need.” The shortage of graduates is compounded by fewer qualified math and science teachers, and exacerbated by Baby Boomer generation teachers retiring.
“The 21st century economy demands workers that are highly skilled and creative problemsolvers” according to “Aligning California's Public Education System with the 21st Century Economy.” The policy paper, one of the few chosen the Governor for discussion at the summit, is from Get REAL (Relevance in Education and Learning). “They [the workers] must be productive, flexible, cooperative in team settings, and willing to be lifelong learners to keep up with technological advancements. The most advanced knowledge-based industries such as biotechnology and nanotechnology require dozens of skilled technicians for every professional level employee.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2007
California Space Authority
William Simon, Media/PR Manager
(805) 349-2633 x111
California Space Authority is a nonprofit organization supporting California’s commercial, civil and national security space stakeholders. Governed by a statewide board of directors, CSA works closely with the State of California, industry, other government, education, workforce entities and academia to support space enterprise development and expansion statewide. www.californiaspaceauthority.org -- 805-349-2633.
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