Literacy Skills in Career and Technical Education Classes By: Patricia Hilliard

Throughout the article, Patricia Hilliard analyzes the importance of literacy within each course subject. She goes on to discuss how students ranged below basic on the reading assessments for the National Assessment of Education Progress. The results for the writing section were similar, making Hilliard claim that this proves students need more teachings when it comes to reading comprehension, writing analysis, and critical thinking. Hilliard goes into further detail expressing that writing should not be only practiced in English, but rather in every subject. Career and Technical Education (CTE) is one course that should put this into effect into the classroom by creating a class objective towards improving adolescent reading and writing skills. Hilliard claims, “CTE programs are naturally positioned to help students build literacy skills in preparation for future success in college, careers, and life” (Hilliard).

Many CTE teachers can coordinate reading and writing in their curriculum through their lessons that include analyzing blueprints, technical manuals, lab reports, floor plans, etc. Teachers can do so by having students look at it on their own, discuss/analyze what they see with a partner, and use critical thinking within their writing to share with the class as a whole. Not only do the National Assessment of Education Progress focus on reading comprehension skills, but it also focuses on how a student uses critical thinking, reflection, and supporting each claim with reliable evidence. CTE not only is able to look at each of these aspects in the classroom, but can also help students think outside of the box in regards to expanding and understanding the importance to technical education inside and outside of the classroom.