This bi-weekly newsletter is designed to keep you informed and connected, providing important updates, timely reminders, and valuable resources for our Career and Technical Education (CTE) community. Should you have any questions or need further assistance, please reach out to your Delaware CTE liaison. Thank you for staying engaged with Delaware CTE!
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New Information
Delaware Pathways Conference - Save the Date!
The annual Delaware Pathways Conference is planned for Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at Bally’s in Dover. Explore the future of career pathways in Delaware, connect with leaders in education and industry, and learn innovative strategies to empower students. Don’t miss this impactful event shaping the workforce of tomorrow. Registration detail will be shared in January. Questions? Contact Mike Fitzgerald at mike.fitzgerald@doe.k12.de.us.
DACCTE Shares Advisory Committee Resources
On December 5, 2024, the Delaware Advisory Council on Career and Technical Education (DACCTE) hosted a professional development session titled Bringing New Life to Local Advisory Committees. This event focused on the importance of Local Advisory Committees (LACs) and provided participants with actionable steps to establish or revitalize their committees. A comprehensive collection of resources from the session is available on the DACCTE website. For additional information or inquiries, please contact Ann Breeding at ann.breeding@delaware.gov.
Leveraging Learner Voice in CTE: Empowering Learners, Enhancing CTE
Delaware’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) system empowers students through initiatives like the Student Leadership Advisory Committee, engaging them in program development and state policy recommendations. These efforts promote diversity and inclusion, while fostering partnerships that connect Delaware students with peers nationwide, amplifying their voices on regional and national platforms. This work underscores Delaware’s commitment to an equitable, learner-centered CTE system preparing students for workforce success. Contact Dr. Hill-Shaner at Michael.Hill-Shaner@doe.k12.de.us.
KnoPro, powered by NAF, offers free virtual work-based learning challenges for high school students, focused on developing future-ready skills and competing for cash prizes. The 2025 lineup includes a Social Entrepreneurship Challenge (Jan 21 – Feb 21) with $10,000 in prizes, encouraging innovative solutions to social issues, followed by Cybersecurity (Feb 2025) and Technology (Mar 2025) challenges. Solo or team participation is welcome. Explore engaging opportunities for your students to learn, create, and achieve! Learn more at KnoPro.
Input Requested for CTE Career Clusters Modernization
The Office of CTE and STEM Initiatives urges CTE Directors from local education agencies to provide critical feedback to inform the development of a three-year transition plan for Career Clusters modernization. This updated framework, required for Perkins V federal reporting, will directly influence program development, career advising, teacher certification, and labor market alignment — ensuring CTE programs effectively address local needs. Your insights are essential in identifying challenges and technical support needs to ensure a successful transition. Please complete the Career Clusters Modernization – LEA Feedback Survey by January 10, 2025, or contact Jonathan Wickert at Jonathan.Wickert@doe.k12.de.us for additional information or assistance.
UD and JFF Encourage LEAs to Participate in 4-6 District-Level CTE Data Deep Dives. Following the December 4, 2024, CTE Cadre meeting with Dr. Ken Shores and Shana Payne, the UD and JFF team invites your district to participate in 4-6 district-level data deep dive conversations scheduled by early February. These sessions provide a valuable opportunity to review UD research findings, explore contextual questions, and identify actionable strategies to address unintended policy impacts. Don’t miss this chance to engage deeply with your data. To participate, CTE Directors should contact email Shana Payne at spayne@jff.org by January 3.
Opportunities
DACCTE Sponsors CTE Month Poster Contest
February is Career and Technical Education Month! Celebrate by joining DACCTE, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Education for a CTE poster contest. Showcase the incredible talent in CTE classrooms and highlight its impact on education and the economy. The winning poster will represent CTE Month in Delaware! Submissions are due by 12/2/24. Visit DACCTE’s website for details or contact Caitlin Rozell at Caitlin.rozell@delaware.gov with questions.
The National Academy of Engineering invites students in grades 3-12 to join the "Innovating Smarter" contest! Imagine a common object made “smart,” explain its function, benefits, and challenges. Open to all genders, prizes include $1,000 for winners in three grade categories. Teachers can access classroom tips on the EngineerGirl website. Submissions are due February 1, 2025. For details, contact Mary Mathias at mmathias@nae.edu. Explore creativity and the possibilities of engineering in daily life!
Help Delaware TSA grow and earn $1,000 for your chapter! Mentor a school to start a new chapter or match/exceed your 2023-2024 membership to qualify. Forward to Fifty (F2F), celebrating TSA’s 50th anniversary, is a National TSA recruitment campaign sponsored by CompTIA. Don’t miss this chance to expand TSA and support its future! For questions, contact Monica Geiger at mgeiger@tsaweb.org.
Registration is open for the Middle School HOSA 2025 State Leadership Conference (SLC) on February 19, 2025, at Wilmington University - Dover Campus. This event features competitions like Health Care Exploration, Health Education, and Medical Reading and Terminology, offering students opportunities to connect with peers and explore health care careers. Registration closes February 10, and uploads for select events are due February 3. Visit delawarehosa.org for details or contact Rozie Townsend at Rozie.Townsend@doe.k12.de.us.
Registration is now open for the Delaware Technology Student Association (DETSA) 2025 State Leadership Conference (SLC), taking place April 8–9, 2025, at Clayton Hall, University of Delaware. This highly anticipated event will feature competitive STEM contests, inspiring workshops, and opportunities to connect with peers, culminating in an awards ceremony celebrating student achievements. Virtual contests will run from November 2024 to February 2025, with live contests scheduled for April 2025. Visit www.DETSA.org for updates and registration details. Contact Mike Fitzgerald at mike.fitzgerald@doe.k12.de.us for assistance.
The Delaware FFA Vision Leadership Conference will be held on February 6, 2025, at the Modern Maturity Center in Dover, DE. Designed for 9th-11th grade FFA members, the event features leadership workshops led by Delaware FFA State Officers, focusing on teamwork and preparing students for roles like chapter officer or committee chair. Sponsored by Corteva, this conference provides vital support for emerging FFA leaders. Contact Dr. Bart Gill at bart.gill@doe.k12.de.us for details.
The Champion Fund provides financial assistance to bring Technology Student Association (TSA) membership to middle and high schools facing economic challenges. This initiative covers Red CAP membership dues (up to 10 members and one advisor) for eligible schools for one year, enabling newly-affiliated chapters to explore TSA’s enriching STEM competitions, leadership opportunities, and career resources. Eligible schools include those without a prior TSA chapter, schools inactive for three or more years, or those impacted by economic hardship due to disasters. Applications, requiring a principal’s signature, are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. The Champion Fund relies on tax-deductible donations from individuals, chapters, or organizations to support its mission. Together, we can expand access to TSA’s transformative opportunities for students nationwide. If you have any questions regarding the Champion Fund, please contact Maria Raza at mraza@tsaweb.org or toll free at 1-888-860-9010.
DNREC and TSA Partner for Free Junior Solar Sprint Registration and Solar Car Kit
Registration is open for the 2025 Junior Solar Sprint! This national competition invites middle school students to design, build, and race solar-powered model cars. Hosted at Delaware State University on April 10, the event is a partnership between Delaware TSA and DNREC’s Division of Climate, Coastal, and Energy, promoting STEM education and renewable energy innovation. Registration is free, with solar car kits provided. For details, contact James Lee at JamesW.Lee@delaware.gov.
DACCTE Announce State CTE Professional Development Night
Join the Delaware Advisory Council on Career and Technical Education (DACCTE) and DOE for the State CTE Professional Development Night on March 27, 2025 (4:30 PM – 6:30 PM; Location/Format TBA). This session (PDMS Course #43017, Section #87357) invites CTE educators and cadre members to collaborate and shape the future of career and technical education in Delaware. For details, contact Ann Breeding at ann.breeding@delaware.gov. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to connect and inspire!
Equity in Career & Technical Education (CTE) requires an inclusive environment that advances empowerment and belonging for both the learner and educator. Students’ circumstances and personal/social identifiers shall not restrict their access to the full variety of academic and career opportunities, enriching experiences, and meaningful relationships that support attainment of their individual career and life goals.
Delaware Department of Education - Pathways Program, 401 Federal Street, Suite 2, Dover, DE 19901
