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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, February is nationally recognized as Career and
3Technical Education (CTE) Month; and
 
4    WHEREAS, CTE's origins stem from the signing of the
5Smith-Hughes Vocation Education Act of 1917, which was the
6first major federal investment in CTE and laid the foundation
7for bipartisan, bicameral support for CTE that continues today
8through the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for
921st Act, and February 23, 2024 marks the 107th anniversary of
10the Smith-Hughes Vocational Education Act being signed into
11law; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Approximately 382,383 secondary and postsecondary
13students are enrolled in CTE across the State of Illinois; and
 
14    WHEREAS, CTE in Illinois places equity at the forefront of
15decision-making, instructional programming, and student
16support services, and it is instrumental in ensuring fair and
17equal access to learning opportunities, supporting local
18communities, fostering innovation, and promoting continuous
19improvement; and
 
20    WHEREAS, CTE programs lead in supplying instruction for
21careers in high-wage, high-skill, and in-demand occupations in

 

 

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1a number of fields, including agriculture, health care,
2business and finance, information technology, advanced
3manufacturing, and education; and
 
4    WHEREAS, CTE programs provide relevant academic and
5technical coursework, leading to college credits and
6industry-recognized credentials for secondary and
7postsecondary learners; these programs also offer smooth
8pathways to and through postsecondary education and
9employment, career exploration for grades K-12, and assistance
10in meeting the Illinois Learning Standards; and
 
11    WHEREAS, CTE prepares students for tomorrow's careers and
12drives economic growth by matching employability skills with
13workforce demand, embedding work-based learning opportunities,
14and allowing for local flexibility; and
 
15    WHEREAS, All students benefit from equity-centered
16teaching practices, career-connected learning, opportunities
17to develop and discover practical skills and strengths, and
18career exploration; and
 
19    WHEREAS, CTE programs will play a critical role in
20becoming the largest training provider for Electric Vehicle
21Technology, thereby bolstering, supporting, and delivering
22Governor JB Pritzker's goal for the State of Illinois to reach

 

 

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1100% clean energy by 2050; therefore, be it
 
2    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
3ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare the month of
4February 2024 as Career and Technical Education Month in the
5State of Illinois.