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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, February is nationally recognized as Career and 
3Technical Education Month; and
  
 
4    WHEREAS, Career and Technical Education (CTE) is an 
5essential strategy for Illinois' economic recovery efforts 
6amid the COVID-19 pandemic; and
  
 
7    WHEREAS, Approximately 398,000 students are enrolled in 
8CTE across the State of Illinois; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, CTE programs lead in providing instruction for 
10careers in high-wage, high-skill, and in-demand occupations in 
11such fields as business and finance, healthcare, information 
12technology, advanced manufacturing, and education; and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, CTE in Illinois places equity at the forefront of 
14decision-making, instructional programming, and student 
15support services; and
  
 
16    WHEREAS, CTE programs provide relevant academic and 
17technical coursework leading to college credits and 
18industry-recognized credentials for secondary and 
19postsecondary learners; they offer smooth pathways to and 
20through postsecondary education and employment, career 
 
 
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1exploration for K-12 grades, and assistance in meeting the 
2Illinois Learning Standards; and
  
 
3    WHEREAS, CTE programs are instrumental in ensuring 
4equitable access to learning opportunities, supporting local 
5communities, fostering innovation, and promoting continuous 
6improvement; and
  
 
7    WHEREAS, CTE prepares students for tomorrow's careers and 
8drives economic growth by matching employability skills with 
9workforce demand, imbedding work-based learning opportunities, 
10and allowing for local flexibility; and
  
 
11    WHEREAS, All students benefit from equity-centered 
12teaching practices, career-connected learning, opportunities 
13to develop and discover practical skills and strengths, and 
14career exploration; and
  
 
15    WHEREAS, February 23, 2021 marks the 104th anniversary of 
16the signing of the Smith-Hughes Vocational Education Act of 
171917, which was the first major federal investment in Career 
18and Technical Education and laid the foundation for the 
19bipartisan, bicameral support for Career and Technical 
20Education that continues today with the Strengthening Career 
21and Technical Education for 21st Act; therefore, be it
  
 
 
 
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1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL 
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate February 
32021 as Career and Technical Education Month to celebrate 
4Career and Technical Education across the State of Illinois.