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WHEREAS, February 1st through 28th of 2011, has been designated Career and Technical Education Month by the National Association for Career and Technical Education; and
WHEREAS, career and technical education provides students with a school-to-careers connection and is the backbone of a strong, well-educated workforce; and
WHEREAS, career and technical education gives high school students experience in practical, meaningful applications of skills such as reading, writing and mathematics, thus improving the quality of their education; and
WHEREAS, the ever-increasing cooperative efforts of career and technical educators, business and industry stimulate the growth and vitality of our local economy and that of the entire nation by preparing graduates for career fields forecast to experience the largest and fastest growth in the next decade;
WHEREAS, in the Pittsburgh Public Schools, Career and Technical Education is part of the District's vision for Excellence for All, and combines academic education with career-focused experience; and
WHEREAS, the Pittsburgh Public Schools Career and Technical Education program helps students prepare for career success and a higher quality of life and the Pittsburgh Promise scholarship, which can be used by Pittsburgh Public Schools graduates who qualify at Pennsylvania state-funded schools, community colleges and private schools that offer two or four year degree programs, including many trade schools.
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NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Pittsburgh City Council does hereby proclaim February 2011 as Career and Technical Education Month in Pittsburgh and urges all citizens to support the services and benefits offered by the career and technical education programs at Pittsburgh Public Schools and to encourage District students to explore and participate in these programs to enhance their individual work skills and productivity, as well as their life prospects.