Parents everywhere share a common goal: to develop their kids’ skills and strengths to lead their best lives. Over time, their experiences in school prepare them to join the workforce and live independently as adults.
However, for parents of children with disabilities, those future opportunities might seem uncertain. But with career and technical education (CTE) programs, there is hope.
There’s a CTE program available in every state and territory in the United States, and the population of students with disabilities participating in these programs continues to expand, from less than 500,000 in 2008 to over 950,000 in 2022.
CTE and other vocational education programs provide hands-on training and experience in courses of study such as construction, cosmetology, HVAC, culinary arts and auto mechanics.
These programs can take many different forms and are available to individuals with and without disabilities, but for the former group, they could make a huge difference in these students developing essential life skills from situations they might not otherwise be exposed to.
Benefits of vocational education
Besides industry-specific knowledge and practices, here are some other benefits students with disabilities can reap from vocational education programs:
• Social and communication skills: Students in work-based learning programs must interact not only with peers and instructors, but also with colleagues, employers and customers. Doing so might be challenging at first for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), but with appropriate modeling, guidance and rehearsal, they can flourish in these settings.
• Time management and teamwork: Workers must be able to complete tasks on schedule, particularly when they are part of a team that relies on one another to get work done. This might not come naturally to students with ADHD or other learning disabilities, but they can learn how to help one another to stay on track or to divide work among them. Vocational programs may utilize paraprofessionals or a behavior plan to support student attention,
concentration and cooperation.
• Career exploration and education: Learning about occupations in both the classroom and a workplace environment exposes students to an array of jobs, many of which they might not have otherwise considered. In addition, they can gain an understanding of workplace safety, professional behavior and other practices that foster occupational success. Specific and valuable lessons of this type may be co-taught by special educators and CTE instructors, or in conjunction with student advisement or counseling.
Importantly, various studies indicate that students with disabilities who participate in CTE programs are more likely to graduate from high school and achieve better employment outcomes. Parents might hear about The Perkins Act or Perkins V, a consequential law that includes provisions to make CTE programs accessible and equitable for all students, including those with disabilities.
A time and place for vocational education
High school CTE programs are typically offered as part of the school curriculum at the student’s school or at a separate vocational training center, but beyond high school, trade or technical schools offer specialized training for many different careers. While some trade school programs require a high school diploma or GED, others do not. Outside formal school settings, work-based learning programs like apprenticeships, internships, job shadowing, mentoring and on-the-job training are also considered types of vocational education.
Start the journey early
Gaining access to the right program isn’t without challenges. Students have unique patterns of strengths and limitations, and programs and settings vary greatly.
Parents who do some research up front can come prepared with questions for school staffers and tap other resources as well. Initial steps could include looking online to learn what your district and state offer and the mechanism for receiving services; speaking with other students and families who have participated in vocational programs and attending informational events. If a vocational program appears to be a good fit, it is critical to start the application process in a timely way.
Many CTE programs are striving to grow and adapt to effectively meet the needs of all students. There’s no shortage of policy papers and plans from government agencies, nonprofits, universities and school districts about how to achieve these aims, but there are still many gaps in the system.
Whether it’s horticulture, healthcare or hospitality, the future is waiting. Parents must be ready to advocate for their student—and students for themselves.
