The State Board of Education met as the State Board of Career and Technical Education at their monthly meeting on February 6th, 2019. After approval of the minutes of the January 4th meeting, the Board presented a Resolution in Honor of Career and Technical Education Month. Nora Faverzani, the State Board of Education Permanent Student Representative, gave her report on the importance of making students aware of options other than a traditional four year college. Ms. Faverzani’s report also included a recommendation that detailed information about other options be made available to middle school students, suggesting that waiting until high school is too late for students to hear about possible alternatives for the first time. Following Ms. Faverzani, Mr. Cary Booker, Governor Murphy’s Senior Policy Advisor for Education, presented the Governor’s Proclamation, proclaiming February 2019 Career and Technical Education Month in New Jersey. Next were a series of presentations focusing on how to best expand Career and Technical Education Opportunities in New Jersey through innovation and collaboration, STEM dual enrollment and early college high school, New Jersey’s business and industry needs and apprenticeships, and how to best build capacity for career pathways. The Board also heard from several student groups including students working in advanced manufacturing and robotics, and vocational school students studying culinary who prepared a delectable lunch for the Commissioner, the Board, and invited guests. Commissioner Repollet said he was nothing less than “completely blown away” by the students’ presentations before adjourning the meeting. For materials and more information about any of the presentations:
