This book provides the reader with an overview of the evolution of career and technical education in California over the 20th century and some insight as to its strengths and weaknesses as well as the challenges it faces in the new millennium. This book delves into why career and technical education/vocational education are so important and needed in California’s public schools. Among the things it looks at are “What is vocational education?” “What are the benefits of vocational education, and in particular, to the student?” and “Why does California need vocational education?” Section one of this book discusses the historical foundation of career and technical education in California starting from the beginning of 1900 to 2000. Section two contains research on the 21st century workforce and the community college’s CTE programs and role in the economy. This book provides a forum and voice for scholars in California. It allows us to learn and understand how career and technical education was viewed at the beginning of its foundation, its curriculum, and its impact on the California labor force today. It also looks at the labor market disadvantages we are facing due to lack of proper structures in the CTE programs across the State.

Definitive Readings in the History, Philosophy, Theories and Practice of Career and Technical Education brings together definitive writings on CTE by leading figures and by contemporary thinkers in the history, philosophy, practice and theories of the field. Filling a much needed void in existing literature, this book equips scholars and practitioners with knowledge, skills, and attitudes to succeed in the field of CTE.

The book begins with the premise that workforce education is a global issue and is becoming increasingly competitive. It is important for the reader to understand the concept of work historically, as well as its meaning and implications to individuals. Understanding this history leads to better instruction, education, and training, which can solve many human performance problems in the workplace. Workforce Education, Occupational, Training, Instruction or Career Education, Voca-tional Education or Technical Education is used interchangeably throughout this book. The concept of today’s workforce development is universal. As a college professor, I believe I have an ethical obligation to promote learning, to ensure health and safety, to protect the public and private trust, and to promote the transfer of learning. A second premise of this book is that there are common issues and problems in the workplace. This book provides, in a single volume, the knowledge base common to all work settings for today’s students, regardless of their specialty. Thus, the book was designed for students to think globally and to understand how to be and what it takes to be competitive in the global economy.

Dr. Gordon was the first scholar/educator to publish a relevant, up-to-date synthesis of the history, philosophy, legislation, and organizational/curricular structure of career and technical education. The fourth edition features comprehensive background and research on such topics as evolving employer expectations, special-needs populations, land-grant institutions, teacher shortages and alternative certification, CTSOs, and an historical overview of influential leaders and their impact on CTE curriculum development. Pre-service teachers as well as experienced CTE teachers will appreciate this well-documented road map of CTE.

Serves as a how-to manual for teachers, school and district administrators, curriculum specialists, and school boards in developing standards-based career technical education (CTE) pathways, courses, curricula, and assessments. For use in middle schools, high schools, regional occupational centers and programs, and adult education programs. Provides students with rigor and relevance in both academic and CTE knowledge and skills for success in postsecondary education and employment. Students are instructed in responsibility; learn what is required to get and keep a job; receive information about and gain experience in careers of interest so they can make informed choices in education and careers.